At the start, the technology for engineering Bt genes into cotton was aimed primarily at controlling pests. However, new pests have emerged in Bt cotton, leading to higher use of pesticides. In the Vidharbha region of Maharashtra, which has the highest number of suicides, the area under Bt cotton has increased from 0.2 million hectares in 2004 to 2.88 million hectares in 2007. The cost of pesticides for farmers has increased 13-fold in the same period.
A pest-control technology that fails to control pests might be good for seed corporations that are also agrichemical corporations. For farmers, it translates into suicide.
Technologies are tools. When the tool fails, it needs to be replaced. Bt cotton technology has failed to control pests or secure farmers’ lives and livelihoods. It is time to replace GM technology with ecological farming. It is time to stop the killing.
Vandana Shiva is an Indian feminist and environmental activist. She is the founder and director of the Navdanya Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology.
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