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Vitthal Narayan Patil


Major Crops: Cotton, bananas

Farm Size: 200 acres (80 hectares)

Years Farming: 20+

First Planted Biotech Crops: 2002

Favorite Benefits: Higher yields.  Better income.  Money for education.

Family: Married, two children

With the help of biotech, we can send our children to school.
With the help of biotech, we can send our children to school.
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YIELDS AND INCOMES INCREASE WITH GM CROPS
Patil Sees More Pros than Cons with Biotechnology in India

Indian farmer Vitthal Narayan Patil has been growing cotton for more than 20 years. Patil has heard discussions about the pros and cons of biotechnology, but since first using insect-protected (Bt) cotton in 2002, Patil has seen his family's income increase and livelihood improve.

“Before Bollgard, in the traditional seeds of cotton, our expenses were high and our yield was low. But with the introduction of Bollgard, we are saved from the havoc of the bollworms, which would affect 30 percent of the yield,” says Patil, a large cotton and banana grower who plants more than half of his family's 200 acres (80 hectares) with biotechnology crops.

“A farmer would always want more yield. We hope for success. Whatever we do, we do it with an expectation of success. And this biotechnology has brought that success. There’s no doubt about that,“ continues Patil.

The adoption of biotechnology in India has been rapid - indicating growers are realizing numerous pros and few cons with biotechnology. But Patil believes more should be done to educate growers and encourage biotechnology in India to keep farmers and farm families economically viable. “Today's times are very competitive. If we are getting more yield at low cost, then the farmers can survive in this competitive market. ...

“Here there is a farmer I've known for the last 15 years ... who was struggling with his financial situation. I bought the Bollgard seeds for him, helped him to grow, and now there is a tremendous change in his financial situation. He has bought a tractor and his condition has improved,” says Patil.

Higher yields and increased income from biotechnology in India help farm families improve their standard of living. Patil intends to use the increased income on education for his children. “Nowadays education is very expensive. If a child is to go to a good school, where he can get good education, there he’ll need more money. A farmer cannot afford so much expense. Only if he gets good yield, gets good money, is when he can afford good education.”

Editor’s Note: 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.

© 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



In our joint family, we have in all 200 acres of land.  This year I have used 117 acres of land for Bollgard Bt cotton, and rest of the land is being cultivated with bananas.

Before Bollgard, in the traditional seeds of cotton, our expenses were high and our yield was low.  But with the introduction of Bollgard, we are saved from the havoc of the bollworms, which would affect 30 percent of the yield. ...

A farmer would always want more yield.  We hope for success.  Whatever we do, we do it with an expectation of success.  And this biotechnology has brought that success.  There’s no doubt about that. ...

... They should encourage such technology.  The crop that gives us more yield due to biotechnology should be encouraged.  Today’s times are very competitive.  If we are getting more yield at low cost, then the farmers can survive in this competitive market. ...

... The information of new technology should be available to the small farmers also.  They should benefit from that.  The standard of living should go up.  The ordinary farmers’ standard of living is not good over here.  And if such technology comes ... then there will be improvement and this would be good situation. ...

Here there is a farmer I’ve known for the last 15 years ... who was struggling with his financial situation.  I bought the Bollgard seeds for him, helped him to grow, and now there is a tremendous change in his financial situation.  He has bought a tractor and his condition has improved.  And he was a defaulter with the bank for 15 years.  He has now managed to repay the loan. ...

... Only education takes a person to the height of success.  Without education, human beings would be just like animals.  Therefore, educating every child is the duty of the parents. ...

Nowadays education is very expensive.  If a child is to go to a good school, where he can get good education, there he’ll need more money.  A farmer cannot afford so much expense.  Only if he gets good yield, gets good money, is when he can afford good education.

Editor’s Notes:

  • 1 hectare = 2.5 acres
  • Bollgard® cotton contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that protects cotton plants from specific lepidopteron insect pests.  Bollgard a registered trademark of Monsanto Company.

© 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.