Agricultural biotechnology and crop productivity: macro-level evidences on contribution of Bt cotton in India

Abstract

While farm-level empirical studies demonstrate the contribution of Bt technology in increasing crop productivity, there are still questions about its contribution to long-term growth in productivity at the macro-level. Our study examines major technological and seed policy breakthroughs relevant for the cotton crop, and reviews their impact on overall performance of the cotton sector and agricultural biotechnology industry in India. Using state-level panel data on cotton production from all the major cotton-producing zones, we provide empirical evidences on structural change in the cotton yield since the introduction of Bt technology and its impact on long-term growth in productivity at the national level.