Bt Cotton and Farmer Suicides: IFPRI Reviews the Evidence

Although officially recognized for having increased production and farmers’ income, Bt cotton remains controversial in India. Among other allegations, it is accused of being the main reason for a resurgence of farmer suicides in India. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) provides a comprehensive review of evidence on Bt cotton and farmer suicides in India. The review is used to evaluate a set of hypotheses on whether or not there has been a resurgence of farmer suicides since 2002, and the potential relationship suicide may have with the use of Bt cotton.

"Bt Cotton and Farmer Suicides: Reviewing the Evidence" by G. P Gruere, P. Mehta-Bhatt and D. Sengupta first shows that there is no evidence in available data of a “resurgence” of farmer suicides in India in the last five years. Second, the research finds that Bt cotton technology has been very effective overall in India. Third, the analysis clearly shows that Bt cotton is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for the occurrence of farmer suicides.  

The paper is available at http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/dp/ifpridp00808.asp