Impact of Bt Cotton on Farmers' Health (in Barwani & Dhar districts of MP)

A 3-member investigation team consisting of a medical doctor (Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Indore), a health activist (Shilpi Trust & Jana Swasthya Abhiyan) and an environmental activist (Narmada Bachao Andolan, Barwani) conducted an investigation during October - December 2005 to understand the impact of Bt Cotton on farmers' health in the Nimad region of Madhya Pradesh. This investigation began after reports were received from some farmers in Nimad region[1] of Western M.P. that Bt. cotton has been causing health hazards. In order to find out about the health impacts from Bt Cotton cultivation, the study team conducted a preliminary inquiry in the cotton growing areas with an objective to:-

1. To identify the spectrum of symptoms which are being reported as a result of exposure of Bt cotton.
2. To Investigate the relationship of symptoms reported by farmers and Bt cotton.

The study was meant to be a preliminary investigation, to stimulate more scientific study on this issue and it was also meant to document the cases who had reported allergies as a result of exposure to BT in order to give voice to their concerns and raise public awareness and debate on this issue.

All the evidence gathered during the investigation shows that Bt. has been causing skin, Upper respiratory tract and eye allergy among persons exposed to cotton. The symptoms vary from mild, moderate to very severe to the extent that one women had to be admitted for 9 days as a result of allergy. The allergy is not restricted to farm labourers involved in picking cotton but has affected labour involved in loading and unloading Bt from villages to market, those involved in its weighment, labourers working in ginning factories, people who carried out other operations in the field of BT cotton, or farmers who stored cotton in their homes etc. Thus the symptom is affecting people widely exposed at different places. The symptoms were not restricted to one particular farm but several farms in 6 villages spread around 4 tehsils of 2 districts.

To read the full report, please click on this link.