BT Cotton alias Bacillus Thuringiensis, brought about a revolution in the agricultural sector worldwide. Its application involves inserting the gene in the cotton seeds to ensure, the plant fights bollworm attack successfully.
However, a recent research study in the US has revealed that pests are gradually developing resistance to genetically modified (GM) transgenic crops.
This might create an alarming situation for countries that have adopted the technology for its domestic cultivation.
India being one of them has a reason to worry. GM cotton was commercialized in the country in the year 2002 and since then its annual cotton output has surged consistently every year. To the extent that last year, its total cotton produce exceeded 300 lakh bales.
GM seeds accounts for nearly, 50 percent of India's acreage under cotton which presently stands at 90 lakh hectares.
If the research proves true, resistance developed by pests to transgenic cotton will most certainly ruin the agricultural segment of India.
The situation is critical, more so because, if bollworm pest can develop resistance in the US, a country where cultivation is highly organized, land is well demarcated and farming systematized, there is no reason why India would be spared the devastation.
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