The ministry of agriculture starts planting genetically modified cotton seeds in greenhouse conditions tomorrow, a senior official told New Age. Genetically modified cotton seeds would be planted in greenhouse conditions at the premises of Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute under the supervision of Cotton Development Board, said CDB executive director Md Farid Uddin. Senior officials from BARI, CDB and the Department of Environment would witness the planting. In April, the government imported one kg of genetically modified cotton seeds from China, said officials. ‘On July 13, we would start trial planting of genetically modified cotton seeds in a greenhouse at BARI premises after fulfilling bio-safety rules,’ said Farid. Scientists from CDB and BARI would continuously monitor the results and collect data over the next six months from July to December, he said. On completion of the trial cultivation and scientific assessment, he said, genetically modified cotton seeds would be provided to farmers for commercial cultivation. To meet the growing domestic demand for cotton, he said, CDB decided to gradually increase cotton acreage. Bangladesh annually produces 1.50 lakh bales of cotton compared to the demand of 55 lakh bales, according to CDB. American seed company Monsanto developed the controversial GM cotton seeds and holds their patent rights. On December 23, 2014, the government’s national committee on bio-safety headed by the environment ministry secretary authorized trial cultivation of five GM crops. Under the arrangements, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute would use two varieties of GM rice seeds, BARI would use two varieties of GM potato seeds and CDB would use one variety of GM cotton seeds. In January 2014, agriculture ministry introduced commercial cultivation of genetically modified brinjal seeds, better known as Bt brinjal. Quoting Indian media reports, agriculture scientist and UBINIG consultant MA Sobhan demanded to know the logic for the Bangladesh government to import the Bt cotton seeds though it forced many Indian farmers to commit suicide. Like other GM crops, Bt cotton would also be vulnerable to diseases and harm the environment, he said.Paribesh Bachao Andolan chairman Abu Naser Khan told New Age that the government should refrain from growing GM crops in Bangladesh without evaluating their impact on nature and human beings. All the GM crops including Bt cotton would adversely affect the environment, he said. He demanded thorough studies before taking any decision to grow genetically modified crops. According to Indian media reports, in 2012, Maharashtra government in India imposed a ban on the sale of Bt cotton seeds developed by Mahyco, an Indian subsidiary of Monsanato. The Karnataka government also banned Bt cotton seeds and blacklisted Mahyco, as farmers in several districts of the Indian province suffered massive losses after sowing Bt cotton seeds. The Karnataka government debarred Mahyco from participating in any agricultural activity involving supply of Bt seeds.
