The Hindu Business Line : `Bt cotton ups farm income'

The use of insect-resistant, biotech cotton has increased farm income by Rs 558 crore, according to a global study on the socio-economic and environmental impact of biotech crops.

Insect-resistant cotton has driven up global farm income by $5.7 billion since commercialisation, said Dr Graham Brookes, the agricultural economist who worked on the study.

"After almost a decade of commercialisation, biotech crops have made a significant impact on the global economy and environment, decreasing the reliance on pesticides and reducing the environmental footprint associated with pesticide use by 14 per cent," the study said.

Biotech crops, according to Dr Brookes, have significantly helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. This reduction results from decreased fuel use, about 475 million gallons in the past nine years. In India, during the last three to four3-4 years, over a million farmers have adopted this technology. The benefits accruing from biotech crops are much higher in the developing countries, Dr Brookeshe said.

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