Monsanto mess: Learn from TS, CPI tells AP

NARAYANA WRITES TO GUV

Its national council secretary Dr K Narayana seeks Governor’s intervention in bailing out seed-growing farmers in both the Telugu-speaking States

Hyderabad: Communist Party of India (CPI) National Council secretary Dr K Narayana wrote to Governor E S L Narsimhan seeking his intervention to help seed-growing farmers and see that both the Telugu State governments implead in courts so that justice would be done to the farming community.

In his letter, the CPI leader said the BT cotton seed prices were brought under control by the previous united Andhra Pradesh government with the enactment of Andhra Pradesh Cotton Seeds (Regulation of Supply, Distribution, Sale and Fixation of Sale Price) Act 2007 and the Monsanto, with high royalty of Rs 1,250 per packet, was brought under control by the then chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and Kolli Nageshwara Rao, president of Rythu Sangham.

After some time, Monsanto manipulated things and started charging high royalties with the tacit support of Agriculture department officials since 2010, he said. In spite of an order to regulate the royalty of Rs 90 per packet in 2010, the officials allowed Monsanto to collect more than double the amount as royalty and in the process impoverishing the farmers. The officials also allowed the litigation to continue without presenting their arguments even once in the last five years.

Monsanto had been pressuring the government to enhance seed prices primarily using its sub licensee seed companies as a front. In the name of royalty, Monsanto looted nearly Rs 4,05,000 crore from farmers, he alleged. Even the new AP government also passed a casual MRP order this year without protecting the interests of seed farmers. However, the Telangana government passed a much better GO utilising the provisions of Andhra Pradesh Cotton Seeds Act, 2007.

They reduced the royalty of Monsanto to Rs 50 per packet from Rs 90 and supported the seed-producing farmers by providing Rs 40 additionally for the seed production cost. Further they provided for strong implementation of the order by specifically mentioning that the royalty mentioned would have overriding effect on the bilateral agreement between the licensee seed companies and Monsanto, thereby forcing Monsanto not to charge higher royalty hiding behind the pending litigation before the High Court.

Telangana Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy held a meeting with seed companies and Monsanto and gave a stern warning to them to follow the GO and maintain prices. However, the Andhra Pradesh government was yet to learn from Telangana government. Meanwhile, Monsanto approached the High Court and got a stay on Telangana GO.

As the Telangana government is determined to get the stay vacated to implement its order, the AP government also should jointly fight for benefit of seed farmers. BT cotton seed prices would go up higher and seed farmers and their workers would suffer due to low procurement costs, he added. (NSS)