FSII Welcomes Union Textile Minister’s Call for Expedited Approval of Herbicide Tolerant Bt Cotton Seed Varieties

30 September 2024, New Delhi: The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has expressed its strong support for the Union Textile Minister Shri Giriraj Singh’s recent call for speeding up the approval process for Herbicide Tolerant Bt Cotton seed varieties. This statement comes as the cotton and textile industry faces challenges from pests, soil degradation, and climate variability, underscoring the need for innovation to revitalize the sector.

Ajai Rana, Chairman of FSII and CEO & MD of Savannah Seeds, praised the Minister’s emphasis on timely approvals, stating, “Herbicide Tolerant Bt Cotton is a transformative technology that can significantly address critical challenges like weed management, enhance productivity, and improve farmers’ income. The adoption of this technology will also support India’s ambition to become a global leader in textiles.”

India’s cotton industry has seen impressive growth since the introduction of Bt Cotton, with production rising from 10 million bales in the early 2000s to nearly 40 million bales by FY2014. However, since FY2015, stagnation has set in due to a combination of factors such as pest pressures and soil health concerns. Rana highlighted the urgency of innovation, stating that India must act quickly to regain its growth trajectory, especially given the country’s goal of achieving $250 billion in textile production by 2030.

The FSII emphasized the importance of a science-based and transparent regulatory process, urging authorities to fast-track the approval of this new seed variety. “A proactive policy framework, with robust collaboration between the government and private sectors, is essential to ensure the sustainable growth of the cotton industry and safeguard the interests of farmers and stakeholders across the value chain,” Rana added.

The FSII believes that timely approval of Herbicide Tolerant Bt Cotton will strengthen India’s cotton value chain, benefiting farmers and contributing to the nation’s long-term textile industry aspirations.

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