Transgenic cotton irks farmers

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Farmers in the province have proved that genetically modified cotton is not as productive as scientists and capitalists have always claimed.

Farmers in the village of Kajang in the Bulukumba regency, about 230 kilometers south of Makassar, have burned down their plantations in a show of discontent towards PT Monsanto, the supplier of transgenic cotton seeds imported from Australia.

They set fire to one hectare of transgenic cotton plantation and poisoned another on Thursday. Earlier on Wednesday, they had destroyed three hectares of the plantations.

The farmers have also demanded an explanation from the South Sulawesi governor as to why he allowed South Sulawesi to become the testing ground for the controversial technology--which turned out to be a failure.

PT Monsanto has assured the farmers that each hectare would produce about four tons of cotton every harvest season. But farmers reported that they reaped less than half a ton.

"We have been duped," said a farmer, Muhammad Amir.

The company's claim that transgenic cotton is highly resistant to pests and disease has also fallen short of farmer's expectations.

According to Amir, 150 hectares have been affected by the emphoasca disease in the village of Bontobiraeng, which is part of the 1,500 hectares of transgenic cotton plantation in the Bulukumba regency.

Plants affected by emphoasca show symptoms such as the stem turning reddish and a loss of fertility. The cotton also causes allergic reactions in some farmers, Amir said.

PT Monsanto spokesman Tri Soekirman said he was aware of the farmers' protests and planned to visit the plantation. (27)