Transgenic cotton project to be reviewed<\/p>\n
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): South Sulawesi governor HZB
\nPalaguna said cessation of the genetically modified cotton
\nproject on a total of 4,462 hectares of land in seven regencies
\nin the province was likely should the project hurt local farmers.<\/p>\n
Therefore, he promised to review the controversial transgenic
\ncotton project, following the burning of hectares of transgenic
\nplantation by farmers in the village of Bontobiraeng, in Kajang
\ndistrict, Bulukumba regency, 230 kilometers south of Makassar,
\nlast week.<\/p>\n
The farmers were upset about the fact that the genetically
\nmodified cotton was not as productive as scientists and
\nbusinesspeople had always claimed.<\/p>\n
They set fire to one hectare of transgenic cotton plantation
\nand poisoned another, after destroying three hectares of
\nplantation one day earlier on Sept. 12.<\/p>\n
They also displayed annoyance with PT Monsanto, supplier of
\nthe imported transgenic cotton seeds from South Africa in March.
\nThe importer was a Jakarta-based company, PT Monagro Kimia.<\/p>\n
Palaguna admitted that his office had yet to receive detailed
\nreports on the burning of the cotton plantations.<\/p>\n
\"I have instructed all parties concerned to investigate the
\nincident. I have frequently said that if the project hurts
\nfarmers, don't continue.\"<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Burhanuddin Mustafa, head of the Plant Protection
\noffice said that burning of the plantations only took place in
\nBulukumba. He speculated that the low production of the
\ntransgenic cotton was caused by the farmers' sloppiness in caring
\nfor the plants.<\/p>\n
\"If care had been taken one hectare of field could have
\nproduced between 1,500 tons and 2,000 tons of cotton,\" he said,
\nresponding to farmers' complaints about the low production of
\nonly 500 tons per hectare.<\/p>\n
PT Monsanto spokesman Tri Soekirman said in a press release
\nthat the (Bulukumba) farmers might have been provoked by certain
\ngroups that were against the project. \"We regret the burning of
\nthe plantations. Destroying and burning the plantations will not
\nsolve anything.\"<\/p>\n
The genetically modified cotton has caused controversy since
\nthe arrival of 40 tons of the seed at Makassar airport in mid-
\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Environmentalists protested the importation of the seed, which
\nwas recommended by Minister of Agriculture Bungaran Saragih.<\/p>\n
Then state minister for the environment Sonny Keraf was also
\nagainst Saragih's recommendations. (27\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/transgenic-cotton-project-to-be-reviewed-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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