Topic: Agriculture – cropping pattern
7) Why India is the only Bt cotton-growing country facing the problem of pink bollworm infestation? Also examine issues associated with growing of Bt cotton in India. (250 Words)
Why this question?
Very important question for Mains. Related to syllabus (in two topics). It’s in news.
Key demand of the question:
There are two demands: One, explain why India is the only Bt cotton-growing country facing the problem of pink bollworm infestation, and Second demand is examining ISSUES related to use of Bt-Cotton in India (issues such as monopoly, resistance, government policy, seeds, farmer suicides etc)
Directive Word:
Examine– Present relevant facts from article to meet question’s demand. No opinion required.
Structure of Answer:
In the introduction write 2-3 lines about the paradox of increase in cotton production in India by using BG cotton and how it has resulted in crisis also (resistance, super-weeds, suicides etc).
In the body, divide answer into TWO main parts: First part for to explain why India is facing pink-bollworm infestation whereas China and other countries are not facing. Write reasons (given in article) in point-format. Try to categorise them (such as hybrids related, saving and selling of seeds etc)
In the Second part, write about issues. Categorise into 4-5 such as monopoly, resistance, government policy, seeds, farmer suicides etc. Within each provide data, facts and examples.
Please refer to this ARTICLE for more points (to add in issues).
In the conclusion write why sound policies matter in reducing woes of farmers and how Bt cotton saga is a sound example for this.
