Biotech Crops – Global Economic Benefits:
1996 to 2006, and 2006

 

1996-2006

 

2006

ALL COUNTRIES

 

$33.7 billion

 

$7.0 billion

USA

 

$15.9 billion

 

$2.9 billion

Argentina

 

$6.6 billion

 

$1.3 billion

China

 

$5.8 billion

 

$0.8 billion

Brazil

 

$1.9 billion

 

$0.6 billion

India

 

$1.3 billion

 

$0.8 billion

Canada

 

$1.2 billion

 

$0.3 billion

Others

 

$1.0 billion

$0.3 billion

Source: Brookes and Barfoot 2008

Projections for the 2nd Decade, 2006 - 2015

2007

2015

# of Biotech Countries

23

 

~ 4

# of Farmers Planting
Biotech Crops

12 million

 

up to 100 million

 

Global Biotech Area

114 million hectares

 

~ 200 million

hectares

Source: Brookes and Barfoot 2008

Adoption of Bt Cotton in India by Major States ('000 hectares)

 

State

2004

2005

2006

2007

Maharashtra

200

607

1,840

2,880

Andhra Pradesh

75

208

830

1,190

Gujarat

122

150

470

818

Madhya Pradesh

80

146

310

500

Northern Zone*

- -

60

215

592

Karnataka

18

30

85

145

Tamil Nadu

5

27

45

70

Other

- -

- -

5

5

Total

500

1,300

3,800

6,200

* Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Source: ISAAA, 2007.

Cotton Area, Production and Yield in India
(2001-08)

Year

 

Area (Million Hectares)

 

Production (Million Bales)

Yield (kg lint per hectare)

2001 – 02

8.73

 

15.8

 

308

 

2002 – 03

7.67

 

13.6

 

302

 

2003 – 04

 

7.63

 

17.9

 

399

 

2004 – 05

 

8.92

 

24.3

 

463

 

2005 – 06

 

8.87

 

24.4

 

467

 

2006 – 07

 

9.158

 

28.0

 

520

 

2007 – 08

9.400*

 

31.0*

 

560*

 

1 bale = 170 kg *Cotton Advisory Board (CAB) projections for 2007-08 season

Source: CAB, Office of Textile Commissioner, Ministry of Textile, Government of India.

Cotton Insecticides Vs Total Agrochemicals

Item/Year

1998

2006

Total Agrochemical Market (Rs in Crore)

3470.7

4038.6

% of Cotton Insecticides to Total Agrochemical Market

30

18

% of Cotton Insecticides to Total Insecticide Market

42

28

Farmers benefit

According to the ISAAA report, biotech crops have delivered unprecedented benefits that contribute toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in countries like China, India and South Africa. The potential in the second decade of biotech crop commercialization (2006-2015) is enormous.

Studies in India and China show Bt cotton has increased yields by up to 50 percent and 10 percent, respectively, and reduced insecticide use in both countries up to 50 percent or more.

In India, growers increased income by up to $250 (Rs 10,000) or more per hectare, increasing farmer income nationally from $840 million to $1.7 billion last year. It is noteworthy that for the six year period 2002-2007, there was a 125 fold increase in Bt cotton in India – this is four times the 67 fold increase for global biotech crops during the 12 year period 1996-2007. Chinese farmers saw similar gains with incomes growing an average of $220 per hectare, or more than $800 million nationally. Importantly, these studies showed strong farmer confidence in the crops with 9 of 10 Indian farmers replanting biotech cotton year on year, and 100 percent of Chinese farmers choosing to continue utilizing the technology.

While these types of economic benefits are well substantiated, the welfare benefits associated with biotech crops are starting to emerge. A study of 9,300 Bt cotton and non-Bt cotton-growing households in India indicated that women and children in Bt cotton households have slightly more access to welfare benefits than non-Bt cotton growers. These include slight increases in pre-natal visits, assistance with at-home births, higher school enrollment for children and a higher proportion of children vaccinated.