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Bacillus thuringiensis Cotton in India: Debates Surrounding Agricultural Biotechnology

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Abstract

This chapter examines the debates surrounding transgenic technology in agriculture through the response of civil society organizations (CSOs) to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton in India. The study shows that the views of CSOs on Bt cotton differ, and there is a need to understand the conflicting interests and ideologies of CSOs. The increasing corporatisation of inputs, as exemplified by the Monsanto-driven Bt crops, exacerbates this squeeze. In this context, this study attempts to understand the responses of CSOs to genetically modified crops, specifically Bt cotton in India, concentrating on the larger implications for the farming community and debates surrounding agricultural biotechnology in India.

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Correspondence to Madhulika Kumari .

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Kumari, M., Mallick, S. (2015). Bacillus thuringiensis Cotton in India: Debates Surrounding Agricultural Biotechnology. In: Majumdar, S., Guha, S., Marakkath, N. (eds) Technology and Innovation for Social Change. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2071-8_10

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