"C. Explain the sharp decline in genetically modified cotton yields.
When Monsanto launched its GM seeds in 2002, cotton yields increased dramatically. At the same time, Monsanto formed capital tie-ups with major seed companies in India and signed licensing agreements to steadily expand sales of GM seeds.
However, beginning in 2006, people began to report that the genetically modified cotton harvest was declining.
Even with the increased use of insecticides and herbicides, farmers were barely breaking even due to the increased yield. From 2006, however, cotton farmers' livelihoods gradually began to suffer from what has been termed an "agricultural crisis.
Farmers who had purchased genetically modified seeds on a deferred payment basis and borrowed in advance to procure insecticides and herbicides would not be able to pay the seed payments or repay their debts if the cotton crop decreased. A number of farmers began to give up their land.
Some farmers who could not afford new seed began to take seed from genetically modified seed cotton and sow it the following year. This is a violation of the contract with Monsanto. The contract when purchasing the seeds states, "Monsanto has developed and patented this seed. The intellectual property rights belong to Monsanto." Monsanto has filed lawsuits against individual farmers who have violated the contract. Since they signed the contract, the farmers clearly lost the case. The obligation to pay patent royalties arises here.
The year 2006, when the harvest decreased, was a year of very low rainfall. Although farmers had voiced their concerns before then, agricultural researchers began to point out that genetically modified seeds require large amounts of water at the right time.
Farmers shared the cost and began digging wells and building simple irrigation systems. It worked to a certain extent. However, the increase in insecticide-tolerant insects and herbicide-tolerant plants was much stronger, and farmers suffered more from the expense of dealing with them. The graph shows a gradual decline in cotton yields, but a sharp increase in farmers' expenses. It was no longer possible to grow cotton and break even at all.
In the cotton-growing state of Maharashtra (capital Mumbai = formerly Bombay), between February 28 and March 18 of this year 37 suicides were reported. The government announced that there were many cases of suicides by farmer fathers with only a few hectares of land, including hanging and taking pesticides.