Socio-economic Assessment of LMOs: Insights from Punjab and Haryana

Abstract

The study was carried out in the states of Haryana and Punjab. These states have witnessed the adoption of Green Revolution technologies and also have undertaken Bt cotton cultivation. Based upon the random sampling technique, Mansa and Bhatinda districts from Punjab, while Sirsa, Hissar and Fatehabad districts from Haryana were selected among the predominantly cotton growing districts. A sample of 220 farmer respondents was selected for testing the questionnaire through multistage sampling. The trait selected for the study was aphid resistance in mustard, considering the importance of aphid management. Similarly, due to menace of weed in wheat, herbicide tolerance in wheat was selected as another trait. The yield potential and efficacy in management of pests (with the highest mean score of 9.67), were considered as the first and foremost criteria for selection of any Bt. hybrid followed by the germination potential; cost of seed; plant type; input requirement; suitability to farm; safety to human and cattle; irrigation intensiveness; and crop duration. There was a drastic fall (of about 32%) in the number of pesticide spray and cost on spray also reduced significantly, with adoption of Bt cotton. While the benefit–cost ratio increased by about 22%, the yield increased by nearly 36%. Adoption decision among farmers was influenced by variables such as the number of family members engaged in farming, social participation and social network. Factor analysis revealed that the major domains of risks were related to seed systems, resource systems, openness in innovation generation and regulations systems. In both the states studied, it was found that majority of farmers lacked understanding or knowledge about genetic modification of the crop; though all of them had cultivated Bt Cotton and perceived that it had led to yield enhancement and increase in income.