This paper is relevant to the impact areas in the following areas:
| Crops | Cotton |
| Traits | Insect Res. (BT), Insect Resistance |
| Countries | India |
| Regions | Asia |
| Tags | bollworm, yield |
The study covered four cotton growing districts of Warangal, Guntur, Kurnool and Nalgonda and found that the cost of production had come down by 31 per cent in 2006-07 from Rs 2,012 (non-Bt) to Rs 1,563 in Bt cotton, resulting in significant savings. One of the major contributors for this reduction was decrease in the number of 'cocktail' pesticide sprays. "The cotton yield has gone up by 32 per cent in 2004-05 in Bt cotton vis-À-vis non-Bt cotton. This increase was 42 per cent after adoption of Bt cotton in 2006-07," the survey said.
It may be recalled that the survey done in 2005 had concluded that the net income, though still negative, had gone up in Bt cotton farmers when compared to their non-Bt peers. "We have found that the farmers are far more relieved now and are sure of harvesting some cotton."
Impact on profitability
"Though Bt improved net income by 83 per cent, the farmers, both Bt and non-Bt farmers, could not cover all costs in 2004-05. Adverse weather causing 33 per cent lower rainfall in 2004-05 and a 21 per cent reduction in the farm harvest price are largely responsible for this situation then," the survey said.
In 2006-07, the farmers, after adoption, could cover all costs. On an average, the farmer adopting the new technology got Rs 9,596 per acre of farm business income. This is three times more than before adoption, Mr Chandrasekhara Rao told Business Line.
The area under Bt cotton has increased from just 45,000 hectares in 2002-03 to an estimated 8 million hectares in 2008. The researchers, however, pointed out that doubts raised on biosafety should be addressed by establishing and standardising the testing procedures. Research on the environmental impact has to be stepped up
Soci-Economic Impact of Bt Cotton (held on an external server, and so may require additional authentication details)
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