Bt cotton reduces pesticide usage
Farmers can save up to Rs 1,600 per acre on pesticides by using Bt cotton technology says the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
By RR Goswami, TNN |
AHMEDABAD : Farmers can save up to Rs 1,600 per acre on pesticides by using Bt cotton technology. Farmers, who planted Bt cotton in 2006, earned an additional Rs 7,039 crore in income, based on 8.8 million acreage penetration achieved during this crop season. This increase in acreage and number of farmers adopting Bt is a result of technology, says the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).
As per an estimate farmers could save 5 sprays per acre for bollworms in Bt plants. The net profit to farmers from Bt cultivation increased significantly by 162% at Rs 7,757 per acre. The reduction in bollworm pesticide sprays translated into an average savings of Rs 934 per acre for Bt farmers.
This transforms into a benefit of Rs 11.60 for every Re 1 spent for cultivating Bt and Rs 10.80 for cultivating Bt II cotton. The perception of an average farmer on the future of Bt farming in the country seemed to be positive. At an average, 93% of the Bt users were satisfied with the end product. Farmers who have been growing Bt for the past few years also agreed to Bt cotton cultivation having impacted their farming income positively.
Assocham launched two studies on Bt cotton farming in India. “The Socio-economic appraisal of Bt Cotton Cultivation in India” was undertaken by Indicus Analytics while the study on “Economic benefits of Bt cotton cultivation in India” conducted by the IMRB International.
As per an estimate farmers could save 5 sprays per acre for bollworms in Bt plants. The net profit to farmers from Bt cultivation increased significantly by 162% at Rs 7,757 per acre. The reduction in bollworm pesticide sprays translated into an average savings of Rs 934 per acre for Bt farmers.
This transforms into a benefit of Rs 11.60 for every Re 1 spent for cultivating Bt and Rs 10.80 for cultivating Bt II cotton. The perception of an average farmer on the future of Bt farming in the country seemed to be positive. At an average, 93% of the Bt users were satisfied with the end product. Farmers who have been growing Bt for the past few years also agreed to Bt cotton cultivation having impacted their farming income positively.
Assocham launched two studies on Bt cotton farming in India. “The Socio-economic appraisal of Bt Cotton Cultivation in India” was undertaken by Indicus Analytics while the study on “Economic benefits of Bt cotton cultivation in India” conducted by the IMRB International.
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