Interactions entre paysans et le marché dans l'utilisation des variétés et semences de coton transgénique : le cas du nord en Chine
- Abstract
- This paper analyzes the extent to which farmers in Northern China actually benefit from market development for biotech varieties and seeds, and how they interact with this development. It firstly appraises similarities and discrepancies observed in this development in China and India, two countries having adopted biotech cotton at large scale. Then, it examined the data obtained in Hebei Province. The results showed tough and unsound competition with the market crowded by illegal varieties and showing paradoxically high prices of seeds. This competition is enhanced in return by growers' strategy to adapt to uncertainty when buying seeds. The future of commercial seeds and of using biotech varieties could be endangered. Competition without some control and regulation could be detrimental both to growers and players of the variety and seed sector.
- English abstract
- This paper analyzes the extent to which farmers in Northern China actually benefit from market development for biotech varieties and seeds, and how they interact with this development. It firstly appraises similarities and discrepancies observed in this development in China and India, two countries having adopted biotech cotton at large scale. Then, it examined the data obtained in Hebei Province. The results showed tough and unsound competition with the market crowded by illegal varieties and showing paradoxically high prices of seeds. This competition is enhanced in return by growers' strategy to adapt to uncertainty when buying seeds. The future of commercial seeds and of using biotech varieties could be endangered. Competition without some control and regulation could be detrimental both to growers and players of the variety and seed sector.