BC3-UPV/EHU Seminars: Biodiversity for Transgenics? Pursuit of Indian Farmers for Higher-Yielding, Lower-Risk Production Alternatives

BC3-UPV/EHU Seminars
“BC3-UPV/EHU Seminars: Biodiversity for Transgenics? Pursuit of Indian Farmers for Higher-Yielding, Lower-Risk Production Alternatives “

Dr. Vijesh V. Krishna,

Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Georg-August University of Goettingen, Germany.

Abstract

Do biotechnology innovations reduce agricultural biodiversity and enhance system vulnerability? Building on four rounds of panel datasets, this paper examines the diffusion process of transgenic varieties in Indian cotton sector. Both transgenic technology and varietal diversity are found increasing yield and reducing production risk. However, the technology impacts weigh greater than the diversity impacts. Profit maximizing farmers may forgo diversity to appropriate transgenic technology, when the transgenic varieties are limited in supply. Otherwise, these two factors act as complements. The determining role of government regulations and seed market structure on varietal supply on agrobiodiversity conservation and system resilience is highlighted