New Delhi: Environmentalists are crying foul, however, industry is enthusiastic over the clearance given to cultivation of Bacillus Thurengensis (BT) cotton and expect to get a major boost in the production from the current year's estimated 155 lakh bales.

Market sources said if new seeds are adopted on a large scale, India's annual production will easily cross 200 lakh bales of 170 kg each in the coming years.

This is significant as demand is pegged to rise to 217 lakh bales by the end of 10th Five Year Plan.

"Depending on the quantum of shift in acreage to BT cotton, there will be a definite increase in cotton production in the next two years on account of higher yield, bollworm resistance and reduced expenditure on pesticides," Chairman, Indian Cotton Mills Federation, Rajaram Jaipuria, told reporters.

There is a 30 per cent increase in yield expected from the new seeds which though insignificant when placed in the context of the miserably low productivity of an average 300 kg per hectare in India, will nevertheless boost production.

A one-third rise in yield from 300 kg to 400 kg per hectare carries little weight when compared to astronomically high yields of 800-1500 kg per hectare elsewhere.

However, more importantly the resistance to bollworm attack and lesser expenditure on pesticides will ensure better returns to the farmers.

As Bhartiya Kisan Union President Bhupinder Singh Mann said this will encourage farmers to get out of the wheat rice cycle and cultivate more of cotton.

Jaipuria said proper cultivation, ginning and processing of BT Cotton, to prevent contamination, will scale down imports from the current 20 lakh bales.

PTI