Which is India’s first transgenic crop?

India’s first transgenic crop is Bt Cotton. Bt Cotton is genetically modified to resist bollworm pests. It contains a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which produces a protein toxic to the pests but safe for humans.

Benefits of Bt Cotton

• Reduces crop loss from pests.
• Decreases the use of chemical pesticides.
• Increases cotton yield and farmer income.

Importance in India

Bt Cotton was introduced in India in 2002 and quickly became popular among farmers. It made India one of the largest cotton producers in the world. However, it also raised debates about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their long-term effects.