ScienceStudy Finds 24-30% of India's Cotton Area Grown with Unapproved HTBt Cotton
A study by the South Asia Biotechnology Centre reveals that 65-72 lakh acres, or 24-30% of India's cotton area, was planted with unapproved herbicide-tolerant Bt (HTBt) cotton during the 2025-26 kharif season. The spread is driven by labor shortages and high manual weeding costs. The study covered 16 districts in Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, combining surveys, supply-chain checks, and lab tests. HTBt cotton allows glyphosate use, costing ₹750-850 per acre versus ₹12,000-15,000 for manual weeding.
Hindustan Times·