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India


With the first plant biotechnology in India approved for commercial use in 2002, Indian farmers now represent the most rapid adopters of biotech crops in the world.   In 2006, these farmers — with typical land holdings of 1 - 3 acres (0.5-1.5 hectares) — nearly tripled the planted area of genetically modified (GM) cotton over 2005 plantings to 9.5 million acres (3.8 million hectares). Net farm income from biotech cotton has improved by US$124 million between 2002-2004, while pesticide applications were reduced by 7.9 million pounds (3.6 million kg).  With agriculture providing 23 percent of India’s gross domestic product and employing nearly 700 million Indians, the future impact of plant biotechnology in India will be significant.
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Grower Profiles


Rajaram Murlidhar Lambe
Indian farmers have increased their net profit by more than 160 percent and eliminated approximately five pesticide applications per acre since adopting plant biotechnology in India. Rajaram Murlidhar Lambe describes how insect-protected Bt cotton has doubled his yields, eliminated pesticide applications and improved the financial well-being of his farm and his family.
Length: 1:52
Vitthal Narayan Patil
Plant biotechnology in India improved net farm income by US$124 million between 2002 and 2004 due to GM cotton.  Vitthal Narayan Patil, one of the largest cotton producers in India and a strong proponent of plant biotechnology, describes how biotech crops have benefited his farm and village, citing improvements in the ordinary farmer’s standard of living.
Length: 2:35
Keshavrao Pawar
Farmers in India face persistently high levels of corn borers that infest the crops and negatively impact yields.  Keshavrao Bhaurao Pawar, a cotton farmer, shares how insect control provided by plant biotechnology in India has significantly reduced pesticide spraying, while improving his yields and income — putting his family and the community on the path of progress.
Length: 1:37
Eknath Shivram Pandit
Adoption of plant biotechnology in India has been rapid since GM crops were first grown in 2002. Eknath Pandit — a farmer with approximately 25 acres (10 hectares) of cotton and corn — discusses his experience with plant biotechnology and the benefits his family has realized including lower expenses, good yield and quality, improved economics and a better quality of life.
Length: 1:37

Video Transcripts



Vitthal Narayan Patil
A farmer would always want more yield.  We hope for success.  Whatever we do, we do it with an expectation of success.  Biotechnology has brought that success.  There is no doubt about that.

Keshavrao Bhaurao Pawar
For the last 50 years, our family had been into farming, but we did not gain anything.  We were living with loans on our heads.  But because of this seed, we can do so much.  We got a daughter married, built a house, which we could not have done otherwise.

Kavita Keshavrao Pawar
We feel happy that our parents have been rewarded and had to work less.  Because with the other cotton seeds, they had to spray the crop again and again. ... And, when we get money, we get to go on a trip.

Keshavrao Bhaurao Pawar
If we keep making profit, I can help my son and also my daughter become a doctor. ... If I keep getting income like this, I can do all these.  If the yield will be good, we can do everything.

Eknath Shivram Pandit
This technology is going to be very helpful. ... There has been a lot of benefit.  This product has brought in money.  With money, there can be education. ... I bought a truck, tractor, built a house, dug a well. ... Before we would use an ox cart and go to sell. ... Now we use a tractor because it can go fast and can come back fast too.  So now we feel good. ... I am more enthusiastic about farming.  It’s worth it now.

© 2005 Monsanto Company.  All rights reserved.  The copyright holder consents to the use of this material and the images in the published context only and solely for the purpose of promoting the benefits of agricultural biotechnology.