Impact of Bt Cotton on Pesticide Use, Farmers’ Health and the Environment

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Agriculture remains the most important sector for promoting economic growth in developing
countries. In agriculture-based economies, the sector accounts for about 29% of the gross
domestic product (GDP) and employs 65% of the labor force (World Bank, 2007). About 75% of
the world’s poor live in rural areas, where agriculture is the main economic activity. Crosscountry comparison shows that GDP growth induced by agriculture is at least twice as effective
in reducing poverty as GDP growth outside agriculture (World Bank, 2007). Agriculture is,
therefore, imperative in reducing mass poverty and food insecurity in developing countries.