Transgenic cotton irks farmers

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)