Socio-economic Assessment of LMOs: An Ex ante Analysis of Insect Resistance and Herbicide Tolerance in Maize and Brinjal in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Any technological development is embedded in and influenced by the social, economic, cultural and political settings. Hence socio-economic assessment of Living Modified Organisms (LMO) is a requisite step to understand the technology in a wider perspective. This study aims at socio-economic assessment of insect resistance and herbicide tolerance traits in maize and brinjal in Tamil Nadu. There is evidence of loss in yield and income due to insects and weeds. Salem District with maximum area under the selected crops was selected for the study and 60 farmers each cultivating maize and brinjal were surveyed. Percentage analysis and partial budget analysis were employed for data analysis. Economic valuation of improved LMO traits was done in an ex ante frame work. The reported yield loss due to weeds ranged between 11–40% in maize and 11–20% in brinjal. Chemical weeding was the most prevalent method of weed management in maize. Partial budget analysis revealed that the net economic benefit due to improved maize (LMO) with insect resistance and herbicide tolerance varies from Rs. 5028.62 to Rs. 13705.52 per hectare. In brinjal hybrids, net change in income per hectare due to insect resistance trait varies from Rs. 72,653 to Rs. 151,385. More than 90% of the farmers have cultivated GM Cotton and experienced higher yield and about 25% increase in income. The farmers desired to have herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant maize hybrids and insect-resistant brinjal varieties.