A Study on Farmers’ Willingness to Pay for Bt Cotton Seed Brands in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Abstract

Andhra Pradesh is the third largest cotton cultivating state in India. After introduction of Genetically Modified cotton (bt cotton) in India, the state too adopted it in a big way. There were more than 30 popular bt cotton brands in the state. Cotton farmers are getting economic benefit out of the genetically modified cotton in the state over the years. In this context, current study was aimed to measure farmers’ willingness to pay for bt cotton brands in the state. The study was conducted in Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh during the year 2012-13. The results showed that net income from irrigated and rainfed cultivation were Rs.28,771 and Rs.16,823 per hectare respectively. Brahma, Mallika and Sudarshan were the major brands cultivated by the sample farmers in the study area. Majority of the farmers were highly satisfied by the fiber quality of bt cotton brands and resistance to bollworms. Further, most of the farmers were loyal to the current brands (54 per cent) and 46 per cent were ready to switch from their brands. 52 per cent of the sample farmers were willing to pay more price for Bt cotton seed brands. Annual income of the farmers, irrigation availability, age of the farmers and area under cotton had a positive and also significant influence on willingness to pay more price to the Bt cotton seed by sample farmers.

Keywords: Bt Cotton seeds, Farmers, Willingness to pay, Andhra Pradesh