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The Return of Pink Bollworm in India’s Bt Cotton Fields: Livelihood Vulnerabilities of Farming Households in Karimnagar District

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  • Katharina Najork

    (Department of Geography, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany)

  • Susheel Gadela

    (Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India)

  • Padmarao Nadiminti

    (Department of Anthropology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India)

  • Sreeramulu Gosikonda

    (Department of Agricultural Science and Rural Development, Loyola Academy, Secunderabad, Telangana, India)

  • Raghava Reddy

    (Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India)

  • Ejnavarzala Haribabu

    (Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India)

  • Markus Keck

    (Department of Geography, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany)

Abstract

Since its introduction in India, Bt ( Bacillus thuringiensis ) cotton technology has been the object of controversial scholarly and non-academic debate. The recent return of pink bollworm ( Pectinophora gossypiella ) pests in several Indian states has provided cause for concern about widespread resistances in Lepidopteran pests towards the endotoxins produced in Indian Bt cotton plants as well as about severe setbacks in regard to cotton farmers’ livelihood security. This study is the first to provide empirical evidence on the socio-economic consequences of recent bollworm attacks in India based on an exploratory study conducted in Karimnagar district, Telangana, India. It analyses the changed vulnerabilities that smallholders currently face and identifies the reasons why some peasant farmers can only deal with the consequences of this technological failure to a limited extent.

Suggested Citation

  • Katharina Najork & Susheel Gadela & Padmarao Nadiminti & Sreeramulu Gosikonda & Raghava Reddy & Ejnavarzala Haribabu & Markus Keck, 2021. "The Return of Pink Bollworm in India’s Bt Cotton Fields: Livelihood Vulnerabilities of Farming Households in Karimnagar District," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 21(1), pages 68-85, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:21:y:2021:i:1:p:68-85
    DOI: 10.1177/14649934211003457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katharina Najork & Jonathan Friedrich & Markus Keck, 2022. "Bt cotton, pink bollworm, and the political economy of sociobiological obsolescence: insights from Telangana, India," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(3), pages 1007-1026, September.

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