Bt Cotton emerged largest Cotton Crop in all Major Cotton Producing States in 2010-11

The state-wise cotton crop data released by the Agriculture Ministry for 2010-11 on 25 July 2011 indicated that Bt cotton emerged as the largest cotton crop in all the major cotton producing states, Andhra Pradesh (over 98 per cent), Maharashtra (95 per cent), Gujarat (over 81 per cent). According to the ministry’s data, Biotech cotton (BT cotton) accounts for nearly 90% of total plantation of this important commercial crop in India, which helped the country, achieve an about 38% jump in output of the natural fibre in 2010-11.

The total land under cotton cultivation stood at 111.42 lakh hectares in 2010-11, out of which about 90% was under Bt cotton. Bt cotton was sown over 98.54 lakh hectares during the period.  Cotton was planted in 110 lakh hectares area in 2009-10.

In Maharashtra, out of the total 39.32 lakh hectares under cotton crops, Bt cotton was spread over 36.21 lakh hectares and the state produced 88 lakh bales. Bt cotton was planted in 21.33 lakh hectares out of the total 26.33 lakh hectares under cotton in Gujarat which resulted in an output of 105 lakh bales. In Andhra Pradesh, Bt cotton was cultivated in 17.50 lakh hectares out of the total 17.84 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation. It produced 53 lakh bales in 2010-11.

As a result of the popularity of the high yielding Bt variety, India achieved a nearly 38% jump in output of the crop during 2010-11. India produced 334.25 lakh bales (170 kg each) of cotton in 2010-11, as against 242.25 lakh bales in 2009-10. 

The introduction of Bt cotton in India in 2002 brought about a revolution in the production of this commercial crop. Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are the main producers of cotton. 
The cotton output during 2010-11 stood at 334.25 lakh bales (of 170 kg each) from 111.42 lakh hectares as compared to 242.25 lakh bales in the previous year from 110 lakh hectares marking a jump of about 38 per cent over.