Farmers’ Perception, Adoption and Socio-economic Assessment of Bt. cotton in India

Unprecedented rates of diffusion and adoption of Bt cotton have demonstrated escalating predominance of Bt. Cotton hybrids as they ensured opportunity for double cropping, 34 - 63 per cent higher yield, about 142 per cent higher income, reduction in pesticide usage from 4 – 12 to 2-4 sprays (though for last two years due to higher incidence of sucking pests and mealy bug ,1-2 extra sprays are required), reduction in the incidence of pesticide-led health hazards from 4-6 cases per season per village to none to one and increased employment days for women during cotton picking. The farmers held positive perception about Bt. Cotton. Recommendations of Bt hybrids according to their suitability to agro-ecological conditions; standardization and dissemination of agro-techniques; development of communication content and dissemination of extension literature related to Bt cotton cultivation should be stressed for effective utilization of the technology.