MUMBAI - The genetically modified cotton varieties would account for half of the total area covered under cotton in India, Kishorilal Jhunjhunwala, president of the East India Cotton Association said here on May 24.

The president added that the crop had covered 9.1 million hectares in 2006/07, with good yield and prices but may see little change in 2007/08 as farmers would have little incentive to shift to any other crop.

The bio-engineered cotton covered 35 percent of total area; whereas last year was marked by a sharp rise in productivity, with cotton yield rising to 500 kg per hectare, largely aided by adoption of BT cotton.

The BT cotton based on technology from seed giant Monsanto Co. helps fight boll worms, a major worry for Indian farmers, but has faced stiff opposition from environmental groups who claim such products deplete bio-diversity.

On the other hand, cotton farmers are very happy with cotton prices and productivity and with aggressive buying BT cotton seeds by farmers, certainly will be increase in area under BT.

Further, the local trade officials estimated that the domestic cotton production will go up to 27 million bales in year to September 2007, up 11 percent from year ago.

However, cotton farmers would not be distracted by the high prices for oilseeds and pulses and will shift towards cotton from other crops or towards other crops from cotton.

The total cotton export in the cotton year ending September 2007 would cross 4 million bales but would be below earlier expectations.