Cotton, the non-edible fibre crop used for making fabric and clothes is a commercial and a cash crop. In the nation of India, this Cotton C...
Cotton, the non-edible fibre crop used for making fabric and clothes is a commercial and a cash crop. In the nation of India, this Cotton Cash crop is of huge importance, as India is the second largest Cotton producer in the world. The quality and the variety of cotton that is available in India is much preferred by many International Textile brands and cloth retailers. Despite this significance, Cotton farmers face huge losses.
India's cotton farming is facing problems with productivity, and it is getting low by every season. The main aspect that is contributing to this lowering productivity is the Recurring Pest attacks. The farmers thus make use of the pesticides in order to treat their crops.
The more recurring the pests are the more varied of pesticides farmers tend to use. The authenticity and the toxicity of the pesticides they use are often compromised to extreme levels. Some farmers even tend to use hazardous, prohibited and counterfeited pesticides out of desperation.
The extreme usage of harmful pesticides will not only deteriorate the quality of the plant but also the quality of the soil. On this matter, research has been conducted by IIT Bombay, IIM Nagpur and the JNU of New Delhi. Their study shows that extensive use of such pesticides did vary based on various factors.
The crop size, irrigation facility, and ownership factors have an impact on Pesticide usage. In order to avoid this, in the year 2002, the Government has legalised the use of Genetically modified 'Bt Cotton', which can avert the pests and insects innately.
Even after a decade of this crop's use, there is still an increase in the use of Pesticides. The Pink Bollworm, and the secondary pests like Jassids and aphids, who have grown resistance to this Bt variety of cotton keep the costs of Pesticides high, as usual.
India's cotton farming is facing problems with productivity, and it is getting low by every season. The main aspect that is contributing to this lowering productivity is the Recurring Pest attacks. The farmers thus make use of the pesticides in order to treat their crops.
The more recurring the pests are the more varied of pesticides farmers tend to use. The authenticity and the toxicity of the pesticides they use are often compromised to extreme levels. Some farmers even tend to use hazardous, prohibited and counterfeited pesticides out of desperation.
The extreme usage of harmful pesticides will not only deteriorate the quality of the plant but also the quality of the soil. On this matter, research has been conducted by IIT Bombay, IIM Nagpur and the JNU of New Delhi. Their study shows that extensive use of such pesticides did vary based on various factors.
The crop size, irrigation facility, and ownership factors have an impact on Pesticide usage. In order to avoid this, in the year 2002, the Government has legalised the use of Genetically modified 'Bt Cotton', which can avert the pests and insects innately.
Even after a decade of this crop's use, there is still an increase in the use of Pesticides. The Pink Bollworm, and the secondary pests like Jassids and aphids, who have grown resistance to this Bt variety of cotton keep the costs of Pesticides high, as usual.
The farmers with lower land holdings tend to use disproportionate and more hazardous pesticide varieties than the others. The researchers opine saying, " We believe our study will help policymakers and NGO's understand variations in patterns of pesticide use and improve identification of vulnerable communities within the farmer population for addressing the irrational pesticide use and associated hazards".
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