Vidarbha experiment with desi cotton to be extended to 10 states
CICR says it got yields as high as 25 to 30 quintals per acre using high density plantation of non-Bt cotton varieties
Wrong to say Bt cotton successful in India: Environmental activists
The GM crop traditionally modified to repel pests has instead induced new pests that can greatly disrupt the ecological balance
‘Let farmers decide the price’
Mani Chinnaswamy’s contract farming model has prompted IIM graduates to study his Appachi formula. After all, it gives farmers the right to …
Study points to quality issues in Bt cotton seeds
The study has found seed companies violating norms on the mixture of refuge seeds and Bt cotton seeds provided to farmers
Suicide by pesticide
After the failure of the cotton crop, a large numbers of farmers in Andhra Pradesh are committing suicide by consuming the very pesticide that is …
Divided colours of cotton
The Union government goes for another field trial of Bt cotton, and another round of confusion
Making of a nightmare
Pakistan faces trying times ahead, as insecticide resistant cotton pests threaten to devastate the country's fledgling economy
Field report
Bt cotton farmers in Karnataka are an insecure and confused lot, and neither the government, nor Mahyco or the anti-Mahyco groups are any help at all
Trial after error
The Supreme Court's decision to resend Monsanto's Bt cotton case to the trial court will ensure judicial scrutiny of all aspects of the patent …
Dyeing cotton fabrics is an ancient Indian art
Indian textiles formed an important item in the trade network, the major thrust being on cotton fabrics in vibrant kalamkari patterns. Mastery …
Farmers in tech trap
Cotton cultivators are on a seed and pesticide treadmill that is draining them of traditional skills
Government rolls back ban on cotton exports
Commerce ministry had imposed ban on March 5 saying 9.4 million bales have already been shipped out of the country as against estimated exports …
Pink bollworm a potent threat to GM cotton
The quest to promote Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton may suffer a serious setback with scientists from the US-based University of Arizona …
Does India really need GM Mustard?
Botanists say that pests and insects may grow resistant to the transgenic crop after a decade or so, triggering the need for newer versions of …
How the planet pays for fashion
The production of a kilogram of cotton takes up around 10,000 litre to 20,000 litre of water
Neem chemical can disable cotton pest in multiple ways: Study
Research on cotton bollworm reveals that the phytotoxin acts in multiple ways to suppress growth of the pest
Dhuri: A Delhi-based fashion brand that makes clothes out of milk
In a world where pollution caused by textiles is a major threat, a brand specialising in eco-friendly fabrics claims it can be a better option …
A look at news you may have missed this week
How the world’s coffee addiction could destroy tropical forests to moose conquering newer areas in a warming Alaska—a quick look at …
Biotech is not just GM
Michael Antoniou teaches Molecular Genetics at King's College, London. In his spare time, he likes to help non-profits with information on the …
Monsanto's troublesome trait
Bayer is battling seed companies and farmers in several countries over royalty on Monsanto's GM seeds
Why are pests developing resistance to Bt cotton in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh?
Low compliance to planting refuge crops along with Bt crops and selection of refuge crops are some of the problem areas identified by a recent study
Unfair fields: Asymmetric WTO rules let US inflate cotton subsidies must be reformed
Cottton farmers in India and other Global South countries, like the Afican C-4 of benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, at peril …
Karnataka bans Bt cotton seeds following large-scale crop failures
Seed company, Mahyco, offered Rs 10 crore compensation to farmers when losses were to the tune of Rs 230 crore
Fabric of nature
Organic cotton is much in demand across the globe. But lack of support from government agencies may impede its growth
Harvesting joy or sorrow?
Global warming would decrease crop production in developing countries but increase it in the industrialised world