Its always not about which side we take...!

Till a few months back, I was hearing the concerns and complaints of fellow veterinarians (especially in Khammam district of Andhra Pradesh) about the effects of BT cotton on the over all health of dairy animals and small ruminants(Sheep and Goat). Even I prescribed the detoxicants assuming the effect of cotton fields as they grazed in BT cotton fields. Among veterinarians, a few argued, its the rampant use of fertilizers in Bt cotton fields and a few argued about the toxins in the form of proteins being developed in BT cotton. Though I don't know about the right argument; I am a direct witness of the BT cotton on animal health.

There were times when the cotton farmers suicides were a daily news item. At certain places of Andhra pradesh,there were panic situations and as usual the political mantra was ex gratia and at that time, as I learned(open to interpretations), every one was numb about the advent of  BT cotton. The hands were shook with that big boss to bring in the technology and the story followed. But can we deny the fact that cotton farmers suicides came down? The cotton farming is a relatively stable business now. 

There is political angle to every problem in India. Last year, AP Government couldn't supply the cotton seeds and there were several gimmicks associated with it and not going into details of it; I infer that farmers are willing to grow cotton. Now what do we call it? Lack of public participation-its not really right to conclude. I'm not saying that whatever Government proposes is right but do we expect utopia in every situation.Its a democracy but even in democracies, its always sense of possibilities which should prevail. 

Now, yes its about the BRAI bill which caught my attention and these are my instant flow of thoughts............

(To be continued...)