Shift in Indian Cotton Scenario due to Shift in Cotton Technology

Abstract

There are many expectations from all stakeholders locally and globally to know future of Indian cotton scenario especially after introduction of advanced technologies in the recent past. This paper examines the Indian cotton scenario in details particularly impact of Bt cotton in Indian cotton basket. Empirical evidence shows that cotton area and productivity played a mixed influence on cotton production in India over the years. Also found that adoption of Bt and Non-Bt in equal proportion in larger domain would sustain cotton productivity along with reduced cost of cultivation. There was leap in insecticide consumption for sucking pest in 2006-07 and make a pair with Bt adoption rate but on the contrary the insecticide consumption for bollworm declined from 2003-04. The increase in cotton production in the country after the introduction of Bt cotton is not merely by GM technology alone but there are other factors like enhancement of area under cotton especially irrigated area, low pest activities, well distributed rainfall, and better market price.