The present study was undertaken in the Kalahandi district of Odisha, where Bt cotton is a prominent commercial crop. The objective was to analyse the cost and return structure of Bt cotton cultivation. Primary data were collected from 90 farmers across two blocks—Bhawanipatna and Kesinga—during the 2018–19 cropping season. Farmers were selected from six villages representing different farm sizes, with 45 farmers surveyed per block. A structured schedule was used to conduct farmer interviews and identify production-related problems through the survey method. The study revealed that, on average, resource use per hectare included 144.10 man-days of human labour, 7.91 pair-days of bullock labour, 22.24 quintals of manure, Rs. 867.22 on irrigation, and Rs. 6,689.87 on plant protection. The overall Cost C per hectare was Rs. 1,00,606.76, while Cost A and Cost B were Rs. 80,746.48 and Rs. 83,270.76, respectively. The benefit-cost ratio stood at 1.36, indicating higher profitability compared to other crops cultivated in the region. Bt cotton technology has positively influenced the socio-economic conditions of farmers by enhancing crop yields and lowering input costs. This has led to higher farm incomes, ultimately contributing to an improved standard of living for the cultivators.

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