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Abstract
The plant protection response of farmers in the Guntur district of Andhra
Pradesh has been examined with particular reference to the adoption of Bt
cotton varieties and IPM components. The farmers have been found to
follow a wide range of practices to manage the insect pests in cotton. The
use of chemical insecticides has accounted for, about 37 per cent of the
total variable costs. No significant reduction in plant protection expenditure
has been recorded on adoption of Bt varieties without IPM practices. The
adoption of IPM practices, however, has led to reduced use of insecticides
and increased profitability. The saving on plant protection chemicals has
more than compensated the cost of adopting IPM components.
Consequently, the net returns have been found increased considerably
from cotton cultivation.