Claims of increased disease resistance in Bt cotton

13-Feb-2026 06:06 PM

New Delhi. The central government states that the American bollworm pest infestation in Bt cotton has been largely controlled, but the threat of the pink bollworm pest is becoming more serious.

The pest's resistance to Bt protein is increasing. This pest is spreading in all the major cotton-producing states in the country, and Bt cotton is struggling to protect itself from it.

According to Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ram Nath Thakur, Bt cotton's share of the total cotton production area in the country has increased to 95 percent, yet even this crop is not completely safe from the pink bollworm's impact.

According to the Minister of State for Agriculture, this sucking pest has been a threat to the entire cotton ecosystem for several years. Necessary efforts are being made to prevent it. Cotton growers are having to spend more money on insecticides.

Initially, the threat of the pink bollworm was low, but now it has increased significantly. In the coming time, special attention will be given to eliminating this danger.