Growing a nightmare?

THE first ever biotech crop to be planted in India, the genetically modified Bt Cotton has failed to deliver on promises of higher yields and consequently higher returns, at least that is what the independent studies show in Andhra Pradesh (AP) and in Karnataka. The high expectations of the cotton farmers have been belied since the yield was far less and the quality mediocre which resulting in the farmers getting lesser rates than other hybrids in the market.

AP Agriculture Minister V Sobhanadeeswara Rao told the Legislative Assembly on March 10 that the farmers who had high hopes on Bt cotton were "disappointed" because not only the yield is low but also the quality of the cotton is also not up to the mark. The number of cotton bolls was fewer; the bolls were smaller in size and the staple length smaller than other hybrid seeds. “The market price is Rs 100-200 less per quintal compared with other hybrid varieties,” said the minister quoting from a survey commissioned by the Agriculture Department and carried out by the Acharya N G Ranga Agriculture University, Hyderabad. 

Low yield
The survey found that the average Bt cotton yield was 2-8 quintals per acre as against 10-15 quintals for other hybrids. The result was that several thousand farmers who were encouraged to take to Bt cotton incurred heavy losses. The farmers were sold on Bt cotton seeds also because of its ability to withstand pests and thus reduce pesticide use by as much as 70 per cent which translated into substantial savings of Rs 750-1,000 per acre. This projected benefit was neutralised with hardly any pest attack during the season and especially of the bollworm not just in AP but also in the entire country.

Expensive cultivation
In Karnataka, a study conducted by Greenpeace India, a non government organisation in the three districts of Karnataka — Raichur, Dharwad and Haveri showed that growing Bt cotton was expensive than any other hybrid variety. The farmers in the State also reported low yields and suffered huge losses.

According to the study, about 77 per cent of the farmers interviewed reported bollworm infestation in the Bt. Cotton plants. A majority of the farmers reported an increase in pesticide costs in the case of Bt cotton. This was despite a fall in the number of sprays compared to the non-Bt cotton hybrids. This increase in cost was related to the nature of pesticides that were used by the farmers, which were potent and expensive.

In terms of economic viability it is clear that Bt Cotton is a much more expensive alternative. Apart from the input costs such as pesticides, fertiliser, water, the Bt Cotton seed itself costs Rs 1,600 per packet. The cost of the non Bt hybrid seed is about Rs 450. 

The NGO interviewed 44 farmers, who were supplied Bt cotton seeds by Monsanto-Mahyco in these districts. According to the study the total cost of fertilizers was higher in the case of Bt cotton plants (Rs 600 to 1,200 higher) as compared to cotton hybrids. These farmers reported an increase in the labour cost of Bt cotton as the cotton bolls are smaller in size, tightly packed and picking takes longer.

The yields for Bt cotton and non-Bt hybrids were more or less the same, however, in Raichur non Bt hybrids fared better. The market value for Bt cotton is lower than non-Bt cotton hybrids by Rs 200 to Rs 800. This is because of the shorter staple fibers and the relatively dull colour of the cotton fiber.

In terms of economic viability it is clear that Bt Cotton is a much more expensive alternative for the farmers. Apart from the input costs such as pesticides, fertiliser, water that have been mentioned before, the Bt Cotton seed itself costs Rs 1,600 per packet (each packet can plant 1 to 1 and half acres). The cost of the non Bt hybrid seed is about Rs 450. Furthermore, the market value that the farmers are getting for Bt Cotton is far lower than for non Bt hybrids.

However, Mahyco-Monsanto Biotech (India) Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of USA biotech seed giant Monsanto, claimed in January that Indian farmers h uch smaller, mostly because incidence of pest in the entire country was less, and these savings did not offset the higher investment. “Overall a majority of farmers are not happy with Bt cotton,” he concluded. 

AP, the second largest cotton growing state with about one million hectares under cotton, went in for Bt cotton with government’s encouragement. For the first time, about 7,000 farmers in the districts of Warangal, Kurnool, Mahbubnagar and Adilabad took up Bt cotton’s cultivation in about 9,000 hecatres amidst objections from environmental groups opposed to genetically modified seeds like Bt cotton. The cultivation was given the go-ahead by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee set up by the Union government. 

Government action
When the Opposition raised the issue in the Assembly last month, Agriculture Minister Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao said the government would take up the issue with Monsanto and ask them to reduce the price of the Bt cotton seeds which are three times more expensive than other hybrids, especially in view of the losses incurred by the farmers. When the Opposition insisted on the farmers getting compensated for the losses they incurred, the minister explained that the MoUs signed by MMB and the farmers covered only seed germination and flowering of the plant. He pointed out the users of XL 35 seeds had been paid a hefty compensation of Rs 2.5 crore for failure of the crop. “We will take all measures to protect the (Bt cotton) farmers..if necessary we will not hesitate to get compensation for them too,” he said. 

However, MMB officials point out that no claims have been made of Bt cotton yielding higher yields. Ranjana Smetacek, Director, Government and Public Affairs, Monsanto Holding Pvt Ltd, says that cotton boll size and staple length are unaffected by the presence of the Bt gene. “Each hybrid has its own characteristics and these are the same in the conventional form of that hybrid or in the Bt version. The only difference in the Bt version of the hybrid is the presence of an additional gene which gives it resistance to the bollworm pest,” she said. While this gain is spelt out clearly, the farmers are promised other benefits albeit not very clearly. As Ms Smetacek puts it, “The (farmers) now have a choice (in selection of seeds) and can determine if this (Bt) technology can create value for them.” MMB does not spell out its argument that greater savings in pesticides is the “value” promised by Bt cotton. 

Economic benefits
A report cited by MMB in support of the efficacy of Bt cotton is explicit in explaining the benefits. The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications’ report of 2002 states, “The economic benefits of Bt cotton come from its superior bollworm control, which results in higher yields and cost savings of 50 per cent on insecticides and labour.”

S Kiran of the Permaculture Association of India points out, the farmers would not invest in Bt cotton three times the cost of other hybrid seeds if they were not told of vast increase in yields in many parts of the world. According to ISAAA, “Yield increases range from 5 to 10 per cent in China, over 10 per cent in the US and Mexico, and 25 per cent in South Africa.” Besides quoting such reports the Warangal farmers were clearly told by the Bt cotton seed dealers to expect a bumper yield. “The dealers would not take such a risk on their own, nor would the farmers,” said Kiran implying that the dealers were speaking on behalf of MMB. 

Kiran who co-authored a report of the mid-season assessment study of the performance of Bt cotton in Warangal district sponsored by the Deccan Development Society and the Warangal Coalition against Genetic Engineering also questioned MMB’s contention that the crop management practices rather than seed were crucial for the yield thereby implying that the farmers are to be blamed rather than the seed. He pointed out that most farmers of Warangal grew both Bt cotton and the other hybrid varieties and used the same crop management techniques. “It is not fair to blame the farmers for the negative results for Bt cotton,” he said. 

Fall in demand
Whether farmers are blamed or faulted with, cotton farmers in Warangal seem to have taken a decision. The demand for Bt seeds for the next season beginning June-July is far below expectations. T Narayan Rao, Chairman of the Warangal Marketyard, the largest marketyard for cotton in Telangana region told Deccan Herald that seeds for barely 2,000-3,000 acres have been booked with dealers so far which is indicative of the poor demand. The experimental crop last season was grown in 1,500 acres in the district.
P V Satheesh, national convener of AP Coalition in Defence of Diversity, a conglomerate of several NGOs, says the Warangal experience shows that Bt cotton is certainly not the answer to the small and marginal farmer. “It might benefit bigger farmers who can afford more inputs, irrigation and so on..it needs to be studied more.”

Regarding the campaign against GE crops in general and Bt cotton specifically, Satheesh said if the Bt cotton had given greater yield and greater returns to farmers, the NGOs might have looked the other way despite the environment crisis. “Our only point is that the farmers have total control over their crops through their knowledge and traditional practices. 

With the introduction of fanciful technology and knowledge they will need to depend on others in which situation the small and marginal farmers will be nobody’s baby.” It could well repeat the 2000-01 spate of suicides of farmers in the country when AP headed the list accounting for the largest number of suicides by cotton farmers. The cotton farmers were sold dream seeds but ended up harvesting a disappointment, if not a nightmare.

Deccan Herald
21 aprile 2003