Locals remain indifferent to GM defiance movement

Akoli Jahangir (Akola): Amid activists making a loud pitch for the use of herbicide tolerant (HT) cotton seeds at the farm where the seeds were sown as a mark of defiance, around 200m away inside the village streets idled a group of farmers indifferent of the affair.
Shetkari Sangathana may have taken its movement for free access to GM technology to a new level from this village. However, the HT seeds for which the organization has been lobbying did not appear to be as popular in this area of Akola district.
Rather than cotton, there has been a gradual shift to banana, apart from white onions being one of the major crop. With the onions getting a good price, the locals at Akoli Jahangir did not have much to complain.
“This time, there is a good demand for onions and we got fair rates for cotton too. We are happy with the BG2 (the legal variety of GM cotton seed), so why should anyone go for the HT seed?” said Vasudeo Khandare, a local.
The failure of some of the farmers in the area who had gone for the HT variety has left others doubtful about the authenticity. The crop had stunted growth and in many plants, the cotton boll did not develop entirely.
“It’s the question of your earnings for the entire year. How can we risk it with the HT seeds if the results are not guaranteed?” said Nandu Dharme from the village. “I remember some of them had purchased one Dragon brand of HT seeds, it all turned out to be fake,” he said.
Shetkari Sangathana activists have been demanding that if the seeds are legalized, even the production will come under a regulatory process. At present, there is no guarantee of the quality of HT seeds. In need, the farmers have to take the risk,” said Laliit Bahale in whose farm the HT seeds were sown by Shetkari Sanghatana.