03-17-2008, 10:17 PM
<b>Farmers earn more with Bt cotton</b>
March 17, 2008
New Delhi, Kalyan Ray, dhns: In what may be the first scientific effort to understand the impact of genetically modified Bt cotton in Karnataka, <b>experts have found that farmers can save more than Rs 3,000 on every hectare by doing away with multiple pesticide sprays required in non-Bt cotton.</b>
As a result, the net returns on every hectare of Bt cotton stands at Rs 13,168, says a study carried by two agriculture economists from the University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS) in Dharwad.
âSimilar studies are available in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. But for the first time we are trying to understand the impacts of Bt cotton in Karnataka,â lead investigator Dr L B Hugar told Deccan Herald from Dharwad.
Monsanto â one of the manufacturerâs of Bt cotton â has funded a part of the study while the remaining came from the UAS. The research is yet to be published in a peer reviewed scientific journal.
After studying 180 cotton farmers in Raichur, Mysore and Haveri districts, <b>the duo discovered adverse health reactions like giddiness, nausea and itching which was common after pesticide use, has reduced considerably among the farmers cultivating Bt cotton.</b> The increased net returns, explained Dr Hugar, came by combining the savings from pesticides, 19 per cent higher yields because of lower pest attack and the premium price Bt cotton fetches from the market.
The GM cotton works better in irrigated areas compared to rain-fed zones. On an average, it remains effective against bollworm up to 105 days in irrigated areas of Raichur.
But in rain fed fields of Haveri and Mysore, Bt cottonâs effectiveness was felt up to 90 days. âBt protein is more effective in killing the pests when soil moisture level is high. It can be achieved only in irrigated conditions,â Dr Hugar said.
March 17, 2008
New Delhi, Kalyan Ray, dhns: In what may be the first scientific effort to understand the impact of genetically modified Bt cotton in Karnataka, <b>experts have found that farmers can save more than Rs 3,000 on every hectare by doing away with multiple pesticide sprays required in non-Bt cotton.</b>
As a result, the net returns on every hectare of Bt cotton stands at Rs 13,168, says a study carried by two agriculture economists from the University of Agriculture Sciences (UAS) in Dharwad.
âSimilar studies are available in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. But for the first time we are trying to understand the impacts of Bt cotton in Karnataka,â lead investigator Dr L B Hugar told Deccan Herald from Dharwad.
Monsanto â one of the manufacturerâs of Bt cotton â has funded a part of the study while the remaining came from the UAS. The research is yet to be published in a peer reviewed scientific journal.
After studying 180 cotton farmers in Raichur, Mysore and Haveri districts, <b>the duo discovered adverse health reactions like giddiness, nausea and itching which was common after pesticide use, has reduced considerably among the farmers cultivating Bt cotton.</b> The increased net returns, explained Dr Hugar, came by combining the savings from pesticides, 19 per cent higher yields because of lower pest attack and the premium price Bt cotton fetches from the market.
The GM cotton works better in irrigated areas compared to rain-fed zones. On an average, it remains effective against bollworm up to 105 days in irrigated areas of Raichur.
But in rain fed fields of Haveri and Mysore, Bt cottonâs effectiveness was felt up to 90 days. âBt protein is more effective in killing the pests when soil moisture level is high. It can be achieved only in irrigated conditions,â Dr Hugar said.