GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3799
ANSWERED ON:04.09.2012
USE OF BT. COTTON SEEDS
MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI
(a) whether it is a fact that 90 per cent of the farmers are using Bt. cotton seeds for cotton production in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to review the effects of Bt. cotton seeds economically, environmentally and scientifically;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the number of cotton farmers benefited so far by using Bt. cotton seeds?
Will the Minister of AGRICULTUREbe pleased to state:-
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) & (b):Yes, Madam. More than 90 per cent of the cotton farmers are using Bt. cotton seed for cotton production in the country as per table given below:
Year Bt. cotton area (%) of total area
2002-03 0.360
2003-04 1.220
2004-05 5.660
2005-06 11.160
2006-07 37.840
2007-08 67.140
2008-09 73.410
2009-10 79.590
2010-11 85.710
2011-12 92.00
2012-13 91.31
(c) & (d): No, Madam.
(e):Farmers growing Bt. cotton have been benefited as yield of cotton per ha. has increased substantially after introduction of Bt. Cotton.