Bt cotton cultivation to be at 80 lakh hectares in 2009-10

Driven by better yields per hectare, Bt cotton cultivation in the country has increased to 80 lakh hectares in 2009-10 from 29,000 hectares in 2002-03, Parliament was informed today.

"The area under Bt cotton has increased from 29,000 hectares in 2002-03 to 80 lakh hectares (anticipated) in 2009-10," Minister of State for Food and Agriculture K V Thomas said in reply to Lok Sabha.

The minister said that the cultivation of Bt cotton has resulted in 31 per cent increase in yield per hectare, and 39 per cent reduction in pesticide usage.

The Bt cotton cultivation has proved 80 per cent more profitable for farmers.

"The average yield of Bt cotton has also increased from 300 kg per hectare in 2001-02 to 560 kg per hectare in 2007-08," Thomas said.

The factors identified for better yield include elite germplasm, better resistance to bollworms thus reducing pest incidence and thereby resulting in higher yield per hectare, the minister said.  

The total production of cotton in India is estimated to be around 22.3 million bales of 170 kg each.