Pakistan Looking to Monsanto (NYSE:MON) for Cotton Solutions

Struggling with cotton productivity, Pakistan is in negotiations with Monsanto (NYSE:MON) to provide answers for the cotton industry in the country.

In a seminar addressing the issues, areas of interest covered included the "introduction of insect resistance and herbicide tolerance technologies, research collaboration between Monsanto and Pakistan Research Institutes, capacity building of local seed companies and technology fee payment by the Punjab government for any unauthorized spread off Monsanto’s proprietary technologies."

While noting the problems of scarcity of water, disease, insects, and enough seeds to plant aren't unique to Pakistan, they haven't put forth systematic efforst to deal with the problems in the cotton industry, which in their view includes working with a partner like Monsanto.

Per the negotiations, if successful, Pakistan would gain legal access to the technology of Monsanto, giving them access to their pipeline.

Particular products being looked at in the market include Monsanto’s CEMB single-gene and double-gene Bt, single-gene Bt, Chinese fusion gene Bt and double-gene Bt, Monsanto’s double-gene Bt (BG II), Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready (RR) Flex and BG II x BR Flex Stack.

Pakistan is also looking to Monsanto to develop a drought resistance cottong variety by 2018.