Biotech Updates

Pakistan Forms Committee to Hasten Bt Cotton Introduction

November 23, 2007

The Pakistan federal government has constituted a committee to work on the introduction of Bt cotton variety in the country in collaboration with international breeders’ companies. Members of the committee include the wheat commissioner,  director of cotton research in Punjab, director of the National Institute of Biology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), and the director general of environment. Sale of illegal Bt seeds and seeds passing off as Bt seeds are being reported in the country.

The committee will prepare the report on the introduction of Bt cotton and recommend guidelines for the cultivation of Bt cotton variety in Pakistan. NIBGE is currently working on two Bt cotton varieties named IR-FH-901 and IR-FH-1000. 

Information provided by Ijaz Ahmad Rao (luckystarpk@yahoo.com).