Lok Sabha Question No. 2318 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-06
Subject: Cultivation of GM Crops
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2318

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 6 TH  AUGUST, 2024

## CULTIVATION OF GM CROPS

2318: SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH:

Will the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  Genetically  Modified  (GM)  crops  that  are  currently  commercially cultivated in different States, such as the area under cultivation, the yield, and any

variations observed across States, crop-wise; (b) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the impact of GM crops  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  number  of  farmers  that  are  cultivating  GM crops in the State of Andhra Pradesh; (c) the  yield  difference  of  GM  crop  farmers  compared  to  farmers  who  cultivate ordinary crops; (d) the  income  difference  of  GM  crop  farmers  compared  to  farmers  who  cultivate ordinary crops; and (e) whether the Government aims to conduct such a study, if so, the details thereof

- and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

- (a): Bt. cotton is the only Genetically Modified (GM) crop approved in 2002 by the Genetic  Engineering  Appraisal  Committee  (GEAC)  of  Ministry  of  Environment, Forest  and  Climate  Change  for  commercial  cultivation  in  the  Country.  Details  of State wise area, production and yield of Bt. cotton is at Annexure - I.

(b) : Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)-  Central  Institute  for  Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur conducted study to evaluate the  impact of Bt. cotton in Maharashtra  during  2012-13  and  2013-14.  ICAR-CICR  also  conducted  study  on impact  of  Bt.  cotton  on  soil  ecology.  During  the  period  of  survey  the  incidence  of bollworms infestation reduced drastically and also decreases in number of insecticide  application  from  8  to  4.  Further,  ICAR-CICR  studies  had  shown  no adverse effect of Bt. cotton cultivation on soil ecological parameters.

During  the  year  2023-24,  in  Andhra  Pradesh  State  4,73,345  farmers  are cultivating Bt. cotton.

(c) to (e): The study conducted by ICAR-CICR observed an yield difference of 34 qtls/acre with the adoption of Bt. cotton. Further, ICAR-CICR study revealed that increase  in  income  with  the  adoption  of  Bt.  cotton  is  due  to  yield  increase  and reduction in insecticide cost against the cotton bollworm. Current net return from Bt. cotton  is  estimated  at  Rs.25,000  per  ha  in  rainfed  situation  with  the  adoption  of suitable  agronomy. With  the  rapid  adoption  of  Bt.  cotton  by  the  farmers,  currently more than 96% area under cotton cultivation is occupied by the Bt. cotton, to conduct such study on Bt. cotton is difficult as the corresponding non Bt. cotton are not under cultivation.

Details of State wise area, production and yield of Bt. cotton:

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|                | Area (lakh ha)   | Area (lakh ha)   | Production (lakh bales)   | Production (lakh bales)   | Yield (kg/ha)   | Yield (kg/ha)   |
|----------------|------------------|------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| State          | 21-22            | 22-23            | 21-22                     | 22-23                     | 21-22           | 22-23           |
| Punjab         | 2.51             | 2.49             | 6.46                      | 4.44                      | 437             | 303             |
| Haryana        | 6.36             | 5.75             | 13.16                     | 10.01                     | 352             | 296             |
| Rajasthan      | 7.56             | 8.15             | 24.81                     | 27.74                     | 558             | 579             |
| Gujarat        | 22.84            | 24.84            | 75.09                     | 87.95                     | 559             | 602             |
| Maharashtra    | 44.10            | 41.82            | 82.49                     | 83.16                     | 318             | 338             |
| Madhya Pradesh | 5.60             | 5.95             | 14.20                     | 14.33                     | 431             | 410             |
| Telangana      | 18.89            | 19.73            | 48.78                     | 57.45                     | 439             | 495             |
| Andhra Pradesh | 5.54             | 7.04             | 17.08                     | 15.41                     | 524             | 372             |
| Karnataka      | 6.74             | 9.49             | 19.55                     | 25.68                     | 493             | 460             |
| Tamil Nadu     | 1.48             | 1.73             | 3.02                      | 3.19                      | 347             | 313             |
| Odisha         | 1.93             | 2.16             | 6.26                      | 7.05                      | 551             | 554             |
| Others         | 0.17             | 0.12             | 0.28                      | 0.19                      | 279             | 269             |
| TOTAL          | 123.72           | 129.27           | 311.18                    | 336.60                    | 428             | 443             |

****

Annexure - I