William Baxter, Celia Karim, and Bryan McInerney presented their research on the genetically modified Bt cotton and its possible links to economic hardships faced by farmers in Central India.
Protecting crops from pest infestation and diseases is one way to increase to reduce losses. Genetically modified crops are promoted as one of the ways to increase crop yield by protecting them against pest attacks.
Bt cotton, a GM crop, was developed by introducing a toxic gene from a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) into cotton plants to build resistance against the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), a major pest of this crop.
Bt cotton was marketed in India with hopes of higher yield and lower input cost. However, the farmers did not understand that Bt cotton was susceptible to other pests and drought, which resulted in unexpected outcome.
Their presentation focused on the introduced of Bt cotton in India and its impact on the lives of farmers in Central India.
Protecting crops from pest infestation and diseases is one way to increase to reduce losses. Genetically modified crops are promoted as one of the ways to increase crop yield by protecting them against pest attacks.
Bt cotton, a GM crop, was developed by introducing a toxic gene from a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) into cotton plants to build resistance against the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), a major pest of this crop.
Bt cotton was marketed in India with hopes of higher yield and lower input cost. However, the farmers did not understand that Bt cotton was susceptible to other pests and drought, which resulted in unexpected outcome.
Their presentation focused on the introduced of Bt cotton in India and its impact on the lives of farmers in Central India.
