Pests attack genetically modified cotton
Pests attack genetically modified cotton
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Hundreds of hectares of the
genetically modified cotton fields at three villages in the
regency of Bulukumba, South Sulawesi, have been destroyed by
pests identified as Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera.
However, officials dealing with the genetically modified
cotton business said separately that there was "nothing to worry
about."
Tri Soekirman, Corp. Communications manager of Monsanto, the
supplier of the genetically modified cotton from South Africa,
said here on Thursday that the pests were not dangerous.
"They are just larva which eat the leaves, but will not
disrupt cotton production," Tri told The Jakarta Post.
He said that based on a survey made by his team, the
population of the pests was still tolerable. "Therefore,
pesticide is not necessary to eliminate them. The farmers know
how to handle them."
On Wednesday in Bulukumba, the leader of the genetically
modified cotton monitoring team, Ibrahim Manwa, voiced similar
optimism that "the pest population is still at tolerable levels."
He said 40 trees had been taken as samples from Balleanging
village in Bulukumba. "Out of the 40 trees, less than seven were
attacked by the pests. This means that the population of the
pests is still very low," he said, showing dried cotton leaves
which had been destroyed by Spodoptera.
Ibrahim was in Bulukumba with the deputy head of the South
Sulawesi Agriculture Office, Karya.
The controversy over genetically modified cotton started in
early May this year when a total of 40 tons of Bollgard cotton
seed belonging to U.S.-based Monsanto was imported by Jakarta-
based PT Monagro Kimia.
A number of activists have said that genetically modified
products must be prohibited from directly entering the province,
and demanded that such seeds be quarantined for detailed
examination before being distributed to the farmers.
It was Minister of Agriculture Bungaran Saragih who
recommended the importation of the seed and its distribution to
seven regencies in South Sulawesi.
State Minister for the Environment Sonny Keraf criticized the
decision.
In Bulukumba regency alone, the genetically modified cotton
was planted on a total of 1,571.75 hectares, managed by 80
farmers' groups consisting of 2,003 families.
At least 180 hectares of the cotton fields in the village of
Balleanging, Ujungloe district, have been invaded by the pests.
Local farmers said that the pests started attacking the cotton
in mid-June.
Many farmers have complained about the pests. They said the
supplier had claimed that the cotton variety was resistant to all
kinds of pests. (27/sur)