India's seed industry urges government to legalize HTBt cotton cultivation

The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) and National Seed Association of India (NSAI) have called on the government to approve commercial cultivation of herbicide-tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton without further delay, warning that unauthorized farming of the variety is already entrenched across multiple states. The two industry bodies argue that legalizing the crop would formalize the existing shadow market, improve seed quality standards, and generate additional government revenue through proper channels. India's current cotton production stands at approximately 29 million bales, each weighing 170 kg. According to the industry bodies, introducing high-yielding varieties and advanced agricultural technologies is essential to increasing domestic output and reducing import dependence. A comprehensive study titled "Unauthorised Cultivation of HTBt Cotton in India: Extent, Drivers and Implications," conducted by the South Asia Biotechnology Centre with support from FSII and NSAI, surveyed 16 districts spanning Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. The research combined farmer interviews, supply-chain assessments and genetic testing to document the scope of illegal cultivation. The findings underscore growing farmer demand for the technology and highlight regulatory gaps that have allowed an estimated Rs 1,500 crore informal seed market to flourish outside government oversight.