Monsanto has withdrawn a new technology for BT cotton. Monsanto is the global leader in GM soybean and corn apart from cotton. Now they has decided to continue research in India on other genetically modified seeds and crop protection.

Officials from Monsanto informed "We plan to continue research in corn seeds, vegetable seeds and crop protection."

In July Monsanto notified the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the withdrawal of the dossier for its Bollgard II Roundup Ready Flex technology, which was pending approval for commercial release.

The Monsanto spokesperson said "Our decision to suspend its introduction in India is an outcome of the uncertainty in the regulatory environment. This decision has no impact on our current cotton portfolio being sold in India."

In 2002 Monsanto had introduced Bt cotton and because yields are high 95% of cotton farmers use it. Now, the government is trying to de-monopolise GM seeds and is promoting indigenous technology.

An indigenously developed GM mustard variant was safe for human and animal consumption, said the GEAC. Use of GM varieties in other crops has favoured by Ramesh Chand, NITI Aayog member for agriculture and Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has sought its use in pulses. Assam Agricultural University developed pod borer pest-resistant GM Chana and ICRISAT developed arhar.