The Hindu Business Line : Better yields, profit from Bollgard cotton, says survey

BETTER yields, reduction in pesticides sprays against bollworms and higher profits have been identified as the biggest benefits from the introduction of Bollgard cotton in the country.

In a survey covering five of the six States growing genetically-modified cotton, an estimated 30 per cent or 1.7 quintals per acre yield increase in fields that planted Bollgard as compared with conventional cotton fields was found.

Commissioned by Mahyco Monsanto Biotech (India) Private Ltd and conducted by ACNielsen ORG-MARG over the past six months, the survey covered 3,063 farmers, including 1,672 Bollgard farmers and 1391 conventional cotton farmers.

The net profit to farmers from Bollgard cultivation increased by nearly 80 per cent or Rs 3,126 per acre, the survey revealed.

Another key finding was the reduction in bollworm pesticide sprays, which translated into an average saving of Rs 1,294 per acre as a result of reduction of 2-3 sprays per acre for Bollgard farmers.

According to company officials, lint of Bt. Cotton fetched a premium over conventional cotton in the marketplace in addition to favourable impact on the environment with over three-lakh litre reduction in formulated pesticides used.

Bollgard cotton is one of the most researched crops, both globally and in India.

It has the estimated potential to eliminate the need for 33,000 tonnes of insecticides globally or 40 per cent of the current global use, experts told presspersons here.