The Lucknow-based National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) is developing a genetically modified (GM) cotton for resisting the incidence of sucking pests, which Bt cotton has failed to encounter. "NBRI has been working for development of novel delta endotoxins and transgenic cotton for resistance to cotton bollworms and sucking pests. A chimeric and endotoxin gene Cry 1 EC was designed at NBRI to target a common Indian pest, Spodoptera litura. It has been deployed in several crop plants, including cotton, groundnut, tomato, and chickpea.

The target pests becoming resistant to Bt cotton has now emerged as a new problem in parts of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharasthra. A study done by the Nagpur-based Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) has suggested the need for proactive six-pronged insect resistance management (IRM) on Bt cotton fields. "Otherwise the development of insect resistance to Bt cotton can significantly diminish the returns and benefits that are currently being derieved from the technology,' it said.

will genetically modified plants give the farmer better profits? Results from a study published in the January-February 2008 issue of Agronomy Journal say no. The study shows that Bt cotton

Cotton's resurgence signals the path ahead for meeting rising food demand. Adoption of simple farm technologies too can fetch higher yields.

Muga silk from Assam, Madhubani paintings from Bihar, Kerala's Malabar pepper and green cardamom and Kovai Cora cotton from Tamil Nadu are among the 31 ethnic Indian products that were given protection last fiscal against anyone getting patents in their names throughout the world. The government granted a record number of protections against patents to region-specific products in 2007-08 through the Geographical Indications (GIs), a mechanism which India adopted through legislation in September, 2003.

The genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) on Wednesday considered new applications for commercial release of Bt cotton expressing approved gene events. According to sources, the GEAC discussed application relating to field trials and commercial approval of transgenic hybridsm expressing cry 1 Ac gene (MON 531 event), stacked genes cry 1Ac and cry 2Ab (Mon 15985 event), GFM cry 1A and cry 1Ac event -1.

Bangladesh has begun producing environmentally friendly yarn from cotton waste to save foreign currency on imports, a local company said on Wednesday. "We have set up the factory to produce cotton yarn by using waste from ready-made garment products to export to foreign markets," said Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, managing director of Evitex Polycot Limited (EPL). EPL is 49 percent stake owned by Swiss firm Texta A B. Its plant, 60 km (38 miles) north of Dhaka city, will produce up to 5,000 tonnes of yarn a year, he told Reuters.

In Vidarbha, many farmers will not benefit from the waiver because they possess over two hectares of land. Above, Durpata Bhalerao Ataram, whose husband committed suicide in 2007.