research article based on empirical observations and focussed group discussions with farmers in tail end regions of Cauvery Delta. how farmer groups in these areas are adopting pulse cultivation from cotton to stabilize cropping cycles, buffer against market volatility across local and global markets, and avoid debt traps linked to Bt cotton farming.
Abstract
The Cauvery Delta, a key agricultural region in Tamil Nadu, India, has witnessed significant shifts in cropping patterns,
particularly the transition from cotton to pulses. This study explores the ecological and economic drivers of this transition
and its implications for the agricultural value chain. While Bt cotton initially gained prominence due to its pest resistance
and robust market linkages, its long-term viability has been undermined by escalating pest resistance, rising input costs,
and erratic climatic conditions. The resulting economic stress, coupled with reduced returns, has prompted farmers to
adopt pulses as a viable alternative. Pulses offer multiple advantages, including resilience to climatic fluctuations, lower
resource demands, and soil fertility enhancement through nitrogen fixation. Through focused group discussions with farm-
ers, the study identifies critical challenges in the value chains of both crops. Cotton cultivation has increasingly led to
farmer indebtedness due to escalating costs and yield uncertainties, while pulses cultivation has benefitted from shorter
crop cycles, lower input costs, and minimal post-harvest risks. However, structural barriers persist, including inadequate
procurement mechanisms, limited input availability, and weak market linkages for pulses. Integrating regional insights
with macro-level perspectives, the study underscores the necessity for systemic interventions, such as improved seed dis-
tribution, enhanced institutional support, and policy incentives to facilitate a sustainable transition. Strengthening regional
institutions, recognizing local pulse varieties, and fostering forward linkages are deduced to be crucial for ensuring a
resilient and inclusive agricultural transformation.