In the heart of India’s cotton belt, a silent crisis has been unfolding, one that intertwines the threads of politics, science, and technology, ultimately reshaping the agricultural landscape. A recent study published in the journal ‘Science, Technologie, Développement’ (translated as Science, Technology, Development) by lead author Avik Ray sheds light on the erosion of cotton agrobiodiversity in India, a phenomenon driven by a century of technopolitical changes.
The study reveals that the 20th century witnessed a significant shift in cotton agriculture, steered by the improvement of cotton through breeding. A few varieties of American cotton, favored for their industry-set staple length, gained precedence, leading to the gradual abandonment of native species. This process was further accelerated by the large-scale adoption of hybrids in the seventies and eighties.
“Increasing genetic homogeneity unleashed bollworm infestation, raising pesticide application and the cost of cultivation,” explains Ray. This genetic erosion, driven by global technopolitical changes, has raised vulnerability to major diseases, particularly bollworm, causing widespread agrarian distress.
The introduction of genetically modified Bt cotton in the twenty-first century was initially hailed as a solution to the bollworm problem. However, the study suggests that while Bt cotton has helped manage the bollworm infestation, it has not addressed the underlying issue of genetic erosion and vulnerability to other diseases.
The commercial impacts of this crisis are profound. Cotton is a vital commodity in the energy sector, with cottonseed oil being a significant source of biodiesel. The erosion of agrobiodiversity not only threatens food security but also the stability of the bioenergy sector. As Ray’s study highlights, the entanglement of technopolitical, bio-cultural, and agrarian changes is complex and multifaceted.
The study lays a foundation for future research, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that considers the interplay of politics, science, and technology in shaping agricultural practices. It calls for a re-evaluation of current policies and a shift towards sustainable practices that preserve agrobiodiversity and ensure the resilience of the agricultural sector.
As we stand at the crossroads of a technological revolution, Ray’s research serves as a stark reminder of the need for cautious and informed decision-making. The future of cotton agriculture, and indeed the broader energy sector, hinges on our ability to learn from the past and navigate the complex interplay of global forces. The study is a call to action, urging stakeholders to come together and shape a sustainable future for cotton agriculture and the communities that depend on it.