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What are farmers really planting? Measuring the presence and effectiveness of Bt cotton in Pakistan

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  • David J Spielman
  • Fatima Zaidi
  • Patricia Zambrano
  • Asif Ali Khan
  • Shaukat Ali
  • H Masooma Naseer Cheema
  • Hina Nazli
  • Rao Sohail Ahmad Khan
  • Arshad Iqbal
  • Muhammad Amir Zia
  • Ghulam Muhammad Ali

Abstract

Genetically modified, insect-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton is cultivated extensively in Pakistan. Past studies, however, have raised concerns about the prevalence of Bt cotton varieties possessing weak or nonperforming insect-resistance traits conferred by the cry gene. We examine this issue using data drawn from a representative sample of cotton-growing households that were surveyed in six agroclimatic zones spanning 28 districts in Pakistan in 2013, as well as measurements of Cry protein levels in cotton tissue samples collected from the sampled households’ main fields. The resultant dataset combines information from 593 sampled households with corresponding plant tissue diagnostics from 70 days after sowing, as well as information from 589 sampled households with corresponding diagnostics from 120 days after sowing. Our analysis indicates that 11 percent of farmers believed they were cultivating Bt cotton when, in fact, the Cry toxin was not present in the tested tissue at 70 days after sowing (i.e., a Type I error). The analysis further indicates that 5 percent of farmers believed they were cultivating non-Bt cotton when, in fact, the Cry toxin was present in the tested tissue (i.e., a Type II error). In addition, 17 percent of all sampled farmers were uncertain whether or not they were cultivating Bt cotton. Overall, 33 percent of farmers either did not know or were mistaken in their beliefs about the presence of the cry gene in the cotton they cultivated. Results also indicate that toxic protein levels in the plant tissue samples occurred below threshold levels for lethality in a significant percentage of cases, although these measurements may also be affected by factors related to tissue sample collection, handling, storage, and testing procedures. Nonetheless, results strongly suggest wide variability both in farmers’ beliefs and in gene expression. Such variability has implications for policy and regulation in Pakistan’s transgenic cotton seed market.

Suggested Citation

  • David J Spielman & Fatima Zaidi & Patricia Zambrano & Asif Ali Khan & Shaukat Ali & H Masooma Naseer Cheema & Hina Nazli & Rao Sohail Ahmad Khan & Arshad Iqbal & Muhammad Amir Zia & Ghulam Muhammad Al, 2017. "What are farmers really planting? Measuring the presence and effectiveness of Bt cotton in Pakistan," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0176592
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176592
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xingliang Ma & Melinda Smale & David J. Spielman & Patricia Zambrano & Hina Nazli & Fatima Zaidi, 2017. "A Question of Integrity: Variants of Bt Cotton, Pesticides and Productivity in Pakistan," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 68(2), pages 366-385, June.
    2. Pemsl, D. & Waibel, H., 2007. "Assessing the profitability of different crop protection strategies in cotton: Case study results from Shandong Province, China," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 95(1-3), pages 28-36, December.
    3. Akhter Ali & Awudu Abdulai, 2010. "The Adoption of Genetically Modified Cotton and Poverty Reduction in Pakistan," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(1), pages 175-192, February.
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