[Insect resistant] Bt cotton has played a transformative role in India’s agricultural landscape, especially in the cotton farming sector. Introduced in 2002, it revolutionized cotton farming by offering genetically modified seeds that provided resistance to pests, particularly the bollworm, which had been a significant challenge for cotton farmers for decades. …

The approval of Bt cotton was hailed as a major step toward modernizing Indian agriculture. The promise of increased yields, reduced input costs, and better resistance to pests made it an attractive option for farmers, especially in regions plagued by bollworm infestations. India, being one of the world’s largest cotton producers, stood to gain significantly from this technology.

While the initial years of Bt cotton cultivation were marked by success, problems began to surface over time. One of the key challenges was the emergence of resistance among pests, particularly the pink bollworm. … Another challenge was the rise in secondary pests. With the decline in bollworm populations, other pests such as aphids, jassids, and whiteflies began to proliferate, leading to new problems for cotton farmers.

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While [Bt cotton] continues to be the dominant cotton variety grown in the country, its efficacy has diminished due to pest resistance…. [M]any farmers have reverted to using chemical pesticides to protect their crops, negating one of the primary benefits of Bt cotton.

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While Bt cotton has faced challenges, the development of newer GM cotton varieties, such as Bollgard III, which offers protection against both bollworm and secondary pests, could provide a solution. However, the regulatory environment in India needs to be conducive to the introduction of such technologies, ensuring that they are tested rigorously for safety and efficacy.

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The future of cotton farming in India requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the limitations of Bt cotton while exploring alternative solutions. One of the key lessons from the Bt cotton experience is the need for an integrated approach to pest management. Rather than relying solely on genetic modifications to control pests, farmers should adopt a combination of biological control methods, crop rotation, and judicious use of chemical pesticides to manage pest populations effectively.

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