(a) whether some companies selling Bt. Cotton seeds in the country are engaged in developing
new varieties of high yielding seeds;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the areas where such new seeds are being used by these companies on
experimental basis under a pilot project in the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI TARIQ ANWAR)
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) The list of companies selling Bt. Cotton seeds in the country is given as Annexure-I.
(c) Bt. Cotton is the only genetically modified crop approved for cultivation in the
country. Bt cotton seeds are used in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for which approval of Genetic
Engineering Appraisal Committee, Ministry of Environment & Forests is granted. The conventional
seed varieties are grown in areas recommended by Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards,
Notification and Release of Varieties for Agriculture Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Government
of India.