Germany’s Bayer has applied to cultivate its next generation of genetically modified (GM) cotton seeds in India, government sources said, reviving plans to bring the high-yielding, herbicide-tolerant variety to the country.

“Our efforts are aimed at enhancing crop productivity, contributing towards doubling farmer incomes and making Indian agriculture sustainable and globally competitive,” Bayer said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

The GM cotton seed variety could cut the cost of cultivation in India, boost crop yields and act as an antidote to the pink bollworm pest, farm policy experts said.

The pink bollworm pest has of late become a major threat to India’s cotton crop. The pest attack has also hit farmers’ income, with nearly 20% to 30% of the country’s 12 to 13 million hectares of the cotton area infested with pink ballworm, based on estimates from industry bodies and farmers.

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“In the absence of a new variety, Indian farmers are forced to rely on a dated technology,” the head of a global seed company said requesting anonymity.

“While India has dragged its feet, other producers have adopted newer cotton seed technologies over the past 15 years.”

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