Question : Pest Attack in Bt. Cotton Crop

(a) whether the pink bollworm pest attack in Bt. cotton crop is reported in the cotton growing States in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has suggested the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to conduct study on such pest attack so as to keep a check on spread of this pest and find a solution to control the situation and if so, the details thereof and the response of the ICAR in this regard;

(d) whether the Technology Mission on Cotton has been launched at a cost of 600 crore last year for promoting cotton farming in the country and if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to review/reform the mission to make it more effective and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

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(a) & (b): During kharif 2015, pink bollworm attack was reported from Saurashtra region of Gujarat, parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

(c): The Government through Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of Ministry of Environment and Forests had suggested that Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) should monitor bollworm resistance to Bt cotton and develop insect resistance mechanism (IRM) strategies. As a result Insect Resistance Mechanism (IRM) strategies have been formulated by ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur and are being disseminated across the country since past 15 years under the IRM Project.

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(d) & (e): The Government of India had launched Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) during 2000-01 with an aim to improve the production, productivity and quality of Indian cotton in the country and to strengthen the raw material base for cotton textile. It consists of the following four Mini Missions:

Mission Objective
Mini Mission I
(MM-I) Generation of Cotton Research and Technology
Mini Mission II
(MM-II) Transfer of Technology and Development
Mini Mission III
(MM-III) Development of Market Yards
Mini Mission IV
(MM-IV) Modernization and Up-gradation of Ginning and Pressing (G&P) Factories

MM-I has been discontinued, but the research and development activities continue to be undertaken by ICAR. The MM-II has been subsumed under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) - Commercial crops w.e.f. 2014-15. The MM-III & MM-IV ceased to be in operation from 31st December 2010.

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