Fair Trade and organic initiatives confronted with Bt cotton in Andhra Pradesh, India: A paradox

Makita, Rie

doi:10.1016/j.geoforum.2012.03.009

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Fifty-four percent of all pesticides used in India are applied to cotton fields, which cover only around 5% of the total cultivated area (Rajendran, 2004). Half of the pesticides used are categorized as hazardous to human health by the WHO (World Health Organization), leading to negative environmental effects and acute and chronic health problems for farming families (Makita, 2012; Panneerselvam et al, 2012). In addition, farming families are facing financial risks due to high input costs (Eyhorn et al, 2007) and market conditions, with a lack of reliable purchasers and volatile and uncertain prices for cotton (Eyhorn et al, 2005a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social, economic and environmental impacts of organic cotton production on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Odisha, India

Altenbuchner

Vogel

Larcher

2017

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

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Cotton is an important source of income for smallholder farmers in India, usually grown very intensively. To counteract negative impacts of cotton cultivation in India, such as environmental degradation and financial dependency due to high input costs, organic cotton cultivation is being promoted by non-governmental organizations in the country. This study examines how the conversion to organic cotton cultivation influences the livelihood of smallholder farmers in rural India. Interviews with organic farmers were conducted in Odisha, India, complemented by expert interviews and observations in the field. Results show that farmers profit from organic agriculture, mainly due to soil improvements, through reduced exposure to toxic chemicals and lower input costs, which in turn reduces dependency on money lenders. Organic agriculture enables smallholder farmers in the study region to improve their livelihood by providing access to training and by organizing in groups. Important social impacts identified in this study were capacity building and strengthened communities, through training and institution building. However, a higher workload, due to the higher work intensity of organic farming practices, was also observed, with this impacting women more than men. Environmental conditions and gender aspects still remain challenging.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social, economic and environmental impacts of organic cotton production on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Odisha, India

Altenbuchner

Vogel

Larcher

2017

Renew. Agric. Food Syst.

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“…It is estimated that cotton consumes about 50 % of the total insecticides/pesticides used in the country. The inevitable use of pesticides increases the financial burden to the farmers as well as creates health and environmental risks (Makita 2012 ). Rhizospheric microbes suppress plant pathogens and may be considered as alternative to chemical pesticides.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Brevibacillus brevis as a potential plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop

2016

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The present investigation was undertaken to isolate, screen and evaluate a selected promising PGPR Brevibacillus brevis on cotton crop. Out of 156 bacterial isolates one of the most promising isolate was analyzed for the various PGP traits. A seed germination analysis was conducted with cotton seeds to evaluate the potential of the isolate to promote plant growth. The bacterial isolate was checked for its growth and survival at high temperatures. The isolate was also analyzed for the PGP traits exhibited after the heat treatment. To identify the isolate morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization was performed. The isolate was found positive for many of the PGP attributes like IAA, ARA, anti-fungal activity and ammonia production. Effect of seed bacterization on various plant growth parameters was used as an indicator. The isolate showed significant growth and exhibited various PGP traits at high temperature making it suitable as an inoculant for cotton crop. Isolate was identified as Brevibacillus brevis [SVC(II)14] based on phenotypic as well as genotypic attributes and after conducting this research we propose that the B. brevis which is reported for the first time for its PGP potential in cotton, exerts its beneficial effects on cotton crop through combined modes of actions.

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“…It is based on a system-oriented approach and can be a promising option for sustainable agricultural intensification in the tropics, as it may offer several potential benefits [6] – [11] such as: (i) A greater yield stability, especially in risk-prone tropical ecosystems, (ii) higher yields and incomes in traditional farming systems, once they are improved and the adapted technologies are introduced, (iii) an improved soil fertility and long-term sustainability of farming systems, (iv) a reduced dependence of farmers on external inputs, (v) the restoration of degraded or abandoned land, (vi) the access to attractive markets through certified products, and (vii) new partnerships within the whole value chain, as well as a strengthened self-confidence and autonomy of farmers. Critics contend that organic agriculture is associated with low labor productivity and high production risks [1] , [12] – [14] , as well as high certification costs for smallholders [15] . However, the main criticism reflected in the scientific literature is the claim that organic agriculture is not able to meet the world's growing food demand, as yields are on average 20% to 25% lower than in conventional agriculture [16] , [17] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Yield and Economic Performance of Organic and Conventional Cotton-Based Farming Systems – Results from a Field Trial in India

Forster

Andrés

Verma³

et al. 2013

PLoS ONE

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The debate on the relative benefits of conventional and organic farming systems has in recent time gained significant interest. So far, global agricultural development has focused on increased productivity rather than on a holistic natural resource management for food security. Thus, developing more sustainable farming practices on a large scale is of utmost importance. However, information concerning the performance of farming systems under organic and conventional management in tropical and subtropical regions is scarce. This study presents agronomic and economic data from the conversion phase (2007–2010) of a farming systems comparison trial on a Vertisol soil in Madhya Pradesh, central India. A cotton-soybean-wheat crop rotation under biodynamic, organic and conventional (with and without Bt cotton) management was investigated. We observed a significant yield gap between organic and conventional farming systems in the 1st crop cycle (cycle 1: 2007–2008) for cotton (−29%) and wheat (−27%), whereas in the 2nd crop cycle (cycle 2: 2009–2010) cotton and wheat yields were similar in all farming systems due to lower yields in the conventional systems. In contrast, organic soybean (a nitrogen fixing leguminous plant) yields were marginally lower than conventional yields (−1% in cycle 1, −11% in cycle 2). Averaged across all crops, conventional farming systems achieved significantly higher gross margins in cycle 1 (+29%), whereas in cycle 2 gross margins in organic farming systems were significantly higher (+25%) due to lower variable production costs but similar yields. Soybean gross margin was significantly higher in the organic system (+11%) across the four harvest years compared to the conventional systems. Our results suggest that organic soybean production is a viable option for smallholder farmers under the prevailing semi-arid conditions in India. Future research needs to elucidate the long-term productivity and profitability, particularly of cotton and wheat, and the ecological impact of the different farming systems.

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Fair Trade and organic initiatives confronted with Bt cotton in Andhra Pradesh, India: A paradox

Cited by 11 publications

References 51 publications

Social, economic and environmental impacts of organic cotton production on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Odisha, India

Social, economic and environmental impacts of organic cotton production on the livelihood of smallholder farmers in Odisha, India

Evaluation of Brevibacillus brevis as a potential plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crop

Yield and Economic Performance of Organic and Conventional Cotton-Based Farming Systems – Results from a Field Trial in India

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