As many as 11 seed companies, including Monsanto, Mahyco, Syngenta and domestic firm Rasi Seeds, have questioned industry body NSAI’s support for cotton seed price regulation.
As many as 11 seed companies, including Monsanto, Mahyco, Syngenta and domestic firm Rasi Seeds, have questioned industry body NSAI’s support for cotton seed price regulation.
The agriculture ministry on December 7 had issued Cotton Seeds Price (Control) Order to fix a uniform maximum retail price on all cotton seeds, including the genetically modified versions, from March. It also decided to fix and regulate the seed value and licensee fee, including royalty or trait value.
In three different letters to the National Seeds Association of India (NSAI), the companies said the body’s support for price regulation will have wide ramifications.
The Centre’s order comes at a time when there is a tussle between the Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (India) Pvt Ltd (MMBL) and seed companies over payment of royalty for using Bollgard technology in hybrid cotton seeds.
