Potential and constraints of employing agricultural biotechnology as a development tool: GMo cultivation and small-holder farmers in dharmapuri district, India

Potential and constraints of employing agricultural biotechnology as a development tool: GMo cultivation and small-holder farmers in dharmapuri district, India drawing on the case of dharmapuri district, south India, the article aims to investigate the potential and the constraints by which agricultural biotechnologies can be employed to serve the purpose of agricultural and rural development. The analysis follows two main routes: on one side it evaluates the suitability of biotechnology (specifically bt cotton) to the needs of farmers, while, on the other, it examines access to resources (technical information, access to credit and input/output markets) necessary for the adoption of this technology. using field survey data from bt cotton farmers in dharmapuri district, Tamil nadu, the paper attempts to identify what are the constraints that small-holder farmers face in accessing this technology and reaping benefits from it. From this analysis it will be concluded that to be used as development tool, biotechnology need to be integrated with socio-economic considerations. Considering the many challenges involved, the paper will propose a number of pointers for policymakers to (re)design biotechnology projects and policies to respond to clear societal targets and aims. kEyWoRds: Agricultural biotechnology, India, small-holder farmers, socio-economic constraints. JEL CodEs: o2 Q1 o13.