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Bayer CropScience offering ‘Seed to Harvest’ solutions to cotton farmers
Indore, 29th September 2010: Cotton, in India, like most of its agricultural commodities, is predominantly a product
of small-scale farming with average holdings barely a hectare or two. India's cotton
industry, over the years, has developed improved varieties and hybrids in different
staple length groups and implemented improved production and plant protection
technologies.
India ranks second in cotton production behind China. The Cotton Corp. of India
Ltd., a governmental marketing agency for cotton, reports the country's output for the
2009-10 cotton season is estimated at a record 29.2 million bales of 170 kilograms
(kg) each, with cotton cultivated area totaling 10.2 million hectares and yielding 488
kg of cotton per hectare. |
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The cotton crop cultivation in India as well as in Madhya Pradesh has been
increasing over the last few years with the introduction of the Bt technology
coupled with high yielding hybrids, giving attractive returns to the farmer.
Seed to Harvest - a comprehensive solution
The ‘Seed to Harvest’ concept launched by Bayer CropScience offers seeds
and Crop Protection Solutions through integrated platforms. This concept has
proven to be very successful in offering a holistic solution to cotton farmers.
Starting with SurPass hybrid cotton seed, Bayer CropScience offers a
comprehensive crop protection solutions to the cotton farmers such as
Conifidor,Admire and FAME.
SurPass cotton hybrids from Bayer
The umbrella brand from Bayer CropScience – SurPass symbolises increased
quality, productivity, innovation and profit. Literally, the word SurPass
means “superior in performance or excellence” and the company believes that this is
a perfect description for its cotton hybrids.
In India, our SurPass cotton hybrids offer farmers high performance in lint yield and
quality, with additional benefits from the inclusion of leading technologies available
for insect tolerance. Our Cotton portfolio for Madhya Pradesh includes five hybrids:
Dhanno Bt, SP 1037 BG II, Goldmine Bt, Minerva Bt and SP 904 Bt each positioned
for specific farmer requirement.
Introduction of SP 1037 BG II
Bayer CropScience has introduced SP 1037 BG II last year in Madhya Pradesh
sown in nearly 4000 acres in the Bhadwaha, Khargone and Badwani areas after
extensive testing of the product particularly for the summer crop. This product is
medium-long duration hybrid with very good Boll bearing capacity coupled with ease
in the cotton picking. The lint quality is very good with staple length of 30 to 32 mm.
This hybrid has high reflush and rejunuvation capacity hence farmer can take more
pickings and even second crop also.
The result was very encouraging and farmers got very good yield based on which the
demand for this product was high during this season.
Challenging conditions this year
This year has presented many challenges. The weather by far, has been extremely
erratic with delayed monsoon and continuous rainfall during August. The rainy days
were very high during the month of August this led to increased moisture in the soil
and high humidity build up in the atmosphere.
The micro and macro climate was very congenial for the various disease
developments. The most prominent disease was identified as Alternaria leaf spot,
which was never seen at this extent and intensity anywhere in the country before.
Disease spread – possible reasons
1) Congenial / ideal weather and conditions for maximum disease & insect pest
incidence.
2) Continuous rainfall resulted in less or no opportunity of sprays at right time on
the infected fields. Also the possibility of the chemical getting washed away with
continuous rain.
3) In heavy soil (as seen in most areas) there are always heavy moisture /water
stagnation conditions, resulting ideal conditions for further spread of the disease.
4) Continuous rainfall with no sunshine resulted in depleted supply of nutrients and
oxygen to the plants thus resulted in defoliation of the leaves; also causing delay in
flowering and boll formation.
Action areas and action plan
For Bayer CropScience, Sustainability of our actions includes a personal
commitment to act in a way that balances the economic, ecological and social needs
of current and future generations by reconciling short-term results with long-term
requirements.
1. Bayer CropScience proactively has taken up an awareness campaign educating
the farmers about the impact of this years long rain spell and its impact on crop
management especially on pests and diseases.
2. Also educating farmers on the right sprays & dosages for pests and diseases to
ensure farmers can optimize their yields.
3. Conducting demonstrations with Folicur 300 M.L /Ac followed by Nativo 100 Gram/
Ac to control the disease.
Training in production enhancement
Intensive training elements for production enhancement and advice on usage of
appropriate Crop Protection Products are an integral part of the Seed to Harvest
Programme.
Through an extensive network of regional offices spread across a large part of rural
India, Bayer CropScience reaches out to its customers with a spirit of partnership.
Trained personnel educate farmers on modern farm techniques to enhance
productivity.
Bayer CropScience conducts regular demonstrations for farmers, free of cost,
whereby the company provides valuable tips to grow hybrid cotton seed and
practically showcase the benefits of the technology on the farm. The company also
conducts a number of farmers’ meetings and provides education on Crop Protection
Product packages relevant to hybrid cotton seed production to the farmers.
The Safe Use training for handling Crop Protection Products by farmers, is also a
vital part of the training programmes conducted by the Bayer CropScience experts.
Future vision
The company has a vision and commitment to meet further farming communities’
needs with more superior quality cotton hybrids and necessary crop protection
products suited to specific seasons and regions of India in the years to come.
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