Bt Cotton and Farmer Suicides in India: An Evidence-based Assessment

2011/01/27 by Guillaume Gruère, Debdatta Sengupta · 3 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Genetically Modified Organisms Research #Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research #CRISPR and Genetic Engineering #Bt cotton #Context (archaeology) #Agricultural economics #Business #Geography #Economics #Biotechnology #Biology

paper · doi:10.1080/00220388.2010.492863

openalex publication_date 2011/01/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

Bt cotton is accused of being responsible for an increase of farmer suicides in India. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of evidence on Bt cotton and farmer suicides. Available data show no evidence of a 'resurgence' of farmer suicides. Moreover, Bt cotton technology has been very effective overall in India. Nevertheless, in specific districts and years, Bt cotton may have indirectly contributed to farmer indebtedness, leading to suicides, but its failure was mainly the result of the context or environment in which it was planted.

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