Date:25/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012554170400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Farmers find Bt cotton profitable

Special Correspondent

Study shows high yield and less use of pesticide

The study was conducted by UAS, Dharwad
It was sponsored by Monsanto

BANGALORE: A large number of farmers are cultivating Bt cotton in the State on account of the higher returns and reduction in pesticide use, according to a study.

The cultivation of Bt cotton has increased the profitability and net income of farmers. The net return has been Rs. 13,168 a hectare against Rs. 4,484 a hectare in non-hybrid variety crop. The reduction in pesticide use and the high yield made Bt cotton crop more profitable compared to the traditional cotton variety, according to the study conducted by University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.

The study sponsored by Monsanto, the multinational life sciences major, revealed that the average saving due to reduction in pesticide use was Rs. 3,094 a hectare in hybrid variety against non-Bt cotton yields.

Output

The Bt cotton output was significantly influenced by seeds, plant protection measures, labour and irrigation. The study, which covered 180 farmers in Raichur, Mysore and Haveri districts, found that adoption of Bt cotton by large farmers (50 per cent) was higher than medium (33 per cent) and small (14 per cent) farmers.

The major source of information to farmers about cultivation of Bt cotton was seed companies (36 per cent), input dealers/traders (31 per cent), and agricultural universities (30 per cent). As many as 45 hybrid varieties were available in the market now, L.B. Hugar, professor, Agricultural College, Raichur, told The Hindu.

The use of spurious Bt cotton seeds was substantial during 2003-04 (45 per cent) and 2004-05 (47 per cent) as non-notified seeds were sold to farmers by unregistered agents. The Bt cotton was now used in over a lakh hectares in the State following aggressive marketing of seeds by the companies in districts. The crop, which would be harvested in 150 to 180 days, had saved 26 labour days per hectare, the study said.

The hybrid variety received premium price due to better quality of seeds, as the harvesting was completed in two or three pickings as against five pickings in non-Bt cotton. In recent years, the price of hybrids also reduced from Rs. 1,600 per 450 gm to Rs. 750 per 450 gm, he said.