John P. Purcell and Frederick J. Perlak
Monsanto Company

Insect-resistant (Bt) cotton has been rapidly adopted since its introduction in 1996. Farmers around the world—both large and smallholders—benefit from this technology through increased productivity, convenience, and time savings. The vast majority of farmers using Bt cotton globally are smallholder farmers. The economic, environmental, and social benefits derived from adoption of this important tool have very positive implications for the farmers, their surrounding communities, and the future of agriculture.

Key words: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); insect-resistant cotton; smallholder farmers; economic, environmental and social impact