Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has informed the Lok Sabha that according to a financial benefits analysis, average income of cotton cultivators has gone up by at least Rs. 10,000 per hectare due to use of Bt cotton. The increase in returns is due to farmers spending less on pesticides and an increase in production.
He said that a study undertaken by the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur indicated that Bt cotton has proved effective in preventing bollworm attack to the extent of around 60 to 100 percent, thus leading to a reduced use of insecticides for prevention of bollworm to an extent of 90 percent.
The Minister further stated that there has been a rise in acreage under Bt cotton cultivation in the country, which increased from 8.05 million hectares in cotton season 2009-10 to 9.55 million hectares during 2010-11.
The rise in area under Bt cotton cultivation has been observed in all leading cotton cultivating States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, he added.
The Minister negated the reports which said despite environment safety, risk assessment test and bio-safety tests, Bt cotton is adversely affecting the farmers. He added that the Department is not in receipt of any scientifically credible report in this regard.
He said that a study undertaken by the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur indicated that Bt cotton has proved effective in preventing bollworm attack to the extent of around 60 to 100 percent, thus leading to a reduced use of insecticides for prevention of bollworm to an extent of 90 percent.
The Minister further stated that there has been a rise in acreage under Bt cotton cultivation in the country, which increased from 8.05 million hectares in cotton season 2009-10 to 9.55 million hectares during 2010-11.
The rise in area under Bt cotton cultivation has been observed in all leading cotton cultivating States like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, he added.
The Minister negated the reports which said despite environment safety, risk assessment test and bio-safety tests, Bt cotton is adversely affecting the farmers. He added that the Department is not in receipt of any scientifically credible report in this regard.
