Private Cos, Dealer Network Facilitated Growth Of Bt Cotton In India: Study

A chain of farmers, technical personnel from private seed companies and network of retailers, dealers and distributors facilitated the swift and sometimes controversial growth of Bt technology among cotton farmers of India.



According to a survey conducted among 2,400 cotton farmers spread across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab, the financial support system extended to cotton growers by cooperative banks and ginners also helped in adoption of this technology.



Bt cotton was commercialised in India in 2002 and since then adoption of the technology has grown at a rapid pace across the country, so much so that almost 93% of the total cotton sown in the country is now Bt cotton.



In 2012-13, cotton was sown in around 11.61 million hectares, while this year it is almost at the same level or slightly on the higher side because of good southwest monsoon. Cotton production in 2012-13 was estimated to be around 34 million bales (1 bale=170 kilograms), while in 2013-14 cotton year it is expected to be around 35 million bales. Cotton year runs from October to September.



“The demonstration by private seed companies in the fields of progressive farmers and mobilisation of farmers to these demonstrations was the most convincing and appealing methods that triggered a large scale adoption of Bt cotton in the villages,” the study said.



It said that Bt cotton technology has attracted young farmers to cotton farming in the country. "Bt cotton technology attracted young farmers to cotton farming, with more than 50% of the surveyed farmers coming from the lower middle age group in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab," the report said.



Bt cotton farmers reported an average net profit of Rs 41,837 per hectare at the national level. The highest profit was in the Punjab at Rs 53,139 per hectare followed by Rs 39,786 in Andhra Pradesh and Rs 32,885 per hectare in Maharashtra, the report said.



In the states surveyed a substantial decrease of 82.8% in insecticide sprays was realised, while achieving 99.3% control of the American bollworm pest, it added.



Farmers in Maharashtra reported 78% reduction in insecticide sprays, 82% in Andhra Pradesh and 98% in Punjab, the report said.

Source:- business-standard.com