When politics and ideology influence scientific decisions, people scorn regulators and take autonomous actions that can have grave consequences.
“Because of Bt, in my areas 90 percent of farmers do cotton,” says Dilip Rao Nandokh, 45, of Jalna district’s Malkapur village. “Otherwise our plight would have been like that of the Vidarbha people.” Nandokh has nine acres, two of which he bought for Rs 14 lakh each, on which he grows cotton with drip irrigation. These gave him 45 quintals. An intercrop of cauliflower yielded Rs 2.5 lakh in four months. His son, graduating in agricultural studies, wishes to pursue post-graduation in entomology, and take up a job at the nearly Mahyco facility, while tending to his farms.
(This story appears in the 15 November, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
India as a counrty is a massive ship of 125 crore today and will be 160 crore in next 2o years. I am not sure we have a choice accpet to embrace technologies. we should be clear - if we think we dont need private sector then country should make public sector accountable to develop. Given many critical needs this country has we would also need to balance on the prioritise of the country.
on Nov 10, 2013Not sure if i understand fully. From the comments it sounds like farmers are growing Bt cotton within existing policy limits. There are concerns are about food crops which are different than cotton - like crops. Here the concerns include public health. Once the corporates who are capable of manipulating media and government gain control of food supply chain no meaningful debate possible. As I missing something?
on Nov 10, 2013Thank you for highlighting the simple fact that farmers are repeatedly planting Bt cotton for 10 years now. If it was a loss making proposition why on earth would they do so. Many people think that farmers are stupid and refuse to acknowledge the fact that farmers can make a choice and should be allowed to make a choice. Farmers continue to suffer because of sustained action by more media savy articulate NGO\'s, many of who receive funding from abroad. the funding agencies try to propagate policies to make India dependent on foreign food. they threaten Indian food security. Ill informed politicians fall prey to such propaganda. thank yo Vivian...
on Nov 9, 2013I fully agree with above article published by Vivian Fernandes. Since inception we have been growing Bt cotton on my farm and we are getting good economical benefits from this Bt cotton. Those people are against this awesome technology they should visit my village and take the survey there are more than 5000 acre area under Bt cotton growing by 400 farmers in my village. I also Mr. Jayram Ramesh to pay his visit to my village and understand the ground reality. Politicians should not come under the trap of vested interest groups like NGOs who are opposing such good technology which is boon for cotton farmers. Below is the economic is based on true facts which is self-explanatory and eye opener to the policy makers and also those who are against this technology. Name Devonath Singh Jamadar, Village Bhorkheda, Ta. Shirpur Dist Dhule Fact on economics of Bt cotton cultivation (before and after Before After Remark Non-Bt cotton Bt Cotton Year Traditionally 2003 started Growingcnce 11 years Area under cotton 15 acre 15 acre Seed cost of 450gm packet 5250 13500 Current price of Bt No. of spray for sucking pest 5 5 Pesticide spraying cost to control sucking pest 2250 3000 Increased due to inflation Spray for bollworms 5 0 Pesticide spraying cost to control bollworms 3000 0 Other inputs (fertilizer irrigation) Same Same Yield of cotton in quintals (100kg/quintal) 65 150 Market rate for cotton (Rs/ 100kg) 2500 4600 Current rate Gross income in Rs. 162500 690000 Net income (less expenditure) 152000 673500 In 11 years of planting Bt cotton we never spray any pesticide to control Bollworm which is the beauty of this technology. Yes, we sprayed more for sucking pest because this technology is not meant for sucking pest. In my village all the farmers are growing Bt cotton since inception and getting benefit of the technology. No suicide case reported so far.
on Nov 7, 2013