GM Cotton
- 2014–15: 462 Kgs/Ha
- 2023–24: 436 Kgs/Ha
- Growth: ↓ -6%
Tobacco
- 2014–15: 1830 Kgs/Ha
- 2023–24: 2109 Kgs/Ha
- Growth: ↑ +15%
Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2023
Published in September 2024
- ✅ India ranks the 2nd largest in the world in production of both cotton and tobacco. However, when it comes to yield, both are moving in opposite directions.
- ✅ Cotton is a GM crop whereas tobacco is a non-GM crop.
- ✅ India’s rank in cotton yield in the world is as low as 35th – far below countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan etc.
- ✅ What happened to the “superior yield performance” initially promised by the Bt cotton GM technology in India?
- ✅ India’s export of tobacco @ $2 bn is now substantially higher than export of raw cotton @ $810 mn (2024–25).
- ✅ India, once a leading cotton exporter, is set to become a net importer due to dwindling yield and production.
- ✅ “See near, before you see far” is an old adage. Before planning to introduce other GM crops like Maize, Mustard, Soybean, Alfa alfa etc., let us first understand and address the GM cotton yield problem in India.