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Keshavrao Pawar


Major Crops: Cotton, corn, wheat

Farm Size: 4 acres (1.6 hectares)

Years Farming: 50+

First Planted Biotech Crops: 2003

Favorite Benefits: Better profits.  Reduced spraying.  More money for family.

Family: Married, five children

With the money that came from these new seeds, I got my daughter married.
With the money that came from these new seeds, I got my daughter married.
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FARMERS SUCCESSFUL WITH BIOTECH IN INDIA
Pawar Cites Reduction in Insecticide Spraying and Increased Control of the Bollworm

Cotton is the most important fiber crop in India. Yet, despite having more land dedicated to cotton production than any other country in the world, Indian cotton farmers experience one of the lowest lint yields, predominately due to high infestation of the bollworm and inadequate insect-control. With agriculture employing nearly 700 million Indians, ineffective insect or bollworm-control has a significant, negative impact on farm families countrywide.

“For the last 50 years, our family has been into farming, but we did not gain anything. We were living with loans on our heads,” says Keshavrao Bhaurao Pawar, an Indian cotton farmer and father of five. “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.”

Until the introduction of biotech in India in 2002, farmers’ only option and the most common practice for controlling insect or bollworm pests was insecticide spraying. With GM insect-protected cotton, farmers can reduce or eliminate insecticide spraying because the plants contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that protects the cotton plants from specific lepidopteron insect pests.

“One thing that has helped by using Bollgard is that there has been a reduction in the number of times of spraying pesticides,” says Pawar of the adoption of biotech in India. “This cotton had to be sprayed only once. Since I had to spray only once, my expenses have reduced. And the bollworms that come, had vanished.”

A reduction in bollworm damage can dramatically increase a farmer’s yield. “In the beginning ... I got approximately an average of 10 quintals. This year with Bollgard, I got an average of 15 quintals (1.5 metric tons),” continues Pawar. “I’ve got good yield, and that is why I’m on the path of progress.”

Pawar’s family expresses appreciation for the reduction in insecticide spraying and increase in family income associated with biotech in India. “We are very happy with this cotton seed,” Pawar says. “We benefit, the society also benefits. If such products are available, the community benefits.”

Editor’s Notes:

  • Pesticides registered by the U.S. EPA will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on man or the environment when used in accordance with label directions.
  • Bollgard® cotton contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that protects the plant from specific lepidopteron insect pests. Bollgard is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company.
  • 10 quintals = 1 metric ton

© 2006 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.

Video Transcript



My name is Keshavrao Bhaurao Pawar. ...

... For the last 50 years, our family has 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. ...

... I’ve been growing cotton from the last three years. ...

... In the beginning ... I got approximately an average of 10 quintals.  This year with Bollgard, I got an average of 15 quintals...

... I’ve got good yield, and that is why I’m on the path of progress. ...

... One thing that has helped by using Bollgard is that there has been a reduction in the number of times of spraying pesticides. ... This cotton had to be sprayed only once.  Since I had to spray only once, my expenses have reduced.  And the bollworms that come, had vanished. ...

... We are very happy with this cotton seed. ...

... We benefit, the society also benefits.  If such products are available, the community benefits. ...

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. ...

Editor’s Notes:

  • Bollgard® cotton contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that protects cotton plants from specific lepidopteron insect pests.  Bollgard is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company.
  • Pesticides registered by the U.S. EPA will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on man or the environment, when used in accordance with label directions.
  • 10 quintals = 1 metric ton

© 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.