Bt cotton and sustainability of pesticide reductions in India

Krishna VV, Qaim M (2012). Agricultural Systems Vol 107, Pg47-55.

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This paper is relevant to the Agronomic, Socio-Economic, and Environmental categories in the following areas:

Crops:Cotton
Traits:Insect Resistance, and Insect Res. (BT)
Countries:India
Regions:Asia
ImpactAreas:Agronomic, Socio-Economic, and Environmental

Abstract or Summary:

Studies from different countries show that transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops can reduce chemical pesticide use with positive economic, environmental, and health effects. However, most of these studies build on cross-section survey data, so that longer term effects have not been analyzed. Bt resistance and secondary pest outbreaks may potentially reduce or eliminate the benefits over time, especially in developing countries where refuge strategies are often not implemented. Here, we use data from a unique panel survey of cotton farmers conducted in India between 2002 and 2008. Accounting for possible selection bias, we show that the Bt pesticide reducing effect has been sustainable. In spite of an increase in pesticide sprays against secondary pests, total pesticide use has decreased significantly over time. Bt has also reduced pesticide applications by non-Bt farmers. These results mitigate the concern that Bt technology would soon become obsolete in small farmer environments. The survey data on actual pesticide use in farmers’ fields complement previous entomological research.

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