The use of Bt cotton seeds has had a positive impact on the overall socio-economical development of the farmers in the country, including in Andhra Pradesh, over the last decade, says a study.
Cotton production in Andhra Pradesh has increased 79.45 per cent per hectare with hybrid Bt cotton seeds, while the area under cultivation and cotton productivity have increased 9.45 per cent and 2.32 per cent respectively, leading to a 575 per cent increase in net returns for the farmers. According to the findings of a nationwide study called ‘Socio-Economic Impact – Assessment of Bt Cotton in India’, jointly conducted by the Council for Social Development, an Indian research institute, and farmer organisation Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS).
The study reveals a significant influence of hybrid Bt cotton seeds on farming choices in Andhra Pradesh with increased productivity and yield, higher returns, reduction in pesticide consumption and the overall improved standards of living, Ajay Jakhar, chairman of BKS, said addressing reporters here.
According to the study, Andhra Pradesh constitutes 15 per cent of the total area under Bt cotton in the country with 1.7 million hectare during 2009-11.
At the pan-India level, cultivation of hybrid Bt cotton seeds, which began in 2002-03, has seen the average income of farmers increasing almost 375 per cent, the average cotton yield by 4.95 per cent, cotton areas by 4.91 per cent and production by 9.25 per cent across India’s major cotton-growing states, the study said.
Cotton production in the country has risen through the wide use of Bt cotton seeds and has benefited farmers. The hybrid Bt cotton seeds helped make India a net exporter of cotton from a net importer, and the cotton exports to grow by over 75 per cent between 2002-2009, the study added.
The study has been conducted by taking more than 1,050 farmers and 300 agricultural labourers from nine states in India as samples.
