With the official acceptance of Bt cotton in 2005, the popularity of this cash crop has grown tremendously in Punjab. Not only is the yield reported to be almost three times greater than the hybrid variety sown earlier in Punjab, but also there is a clear reduction in pesticide use. As Bt cotton was designed to be resistant to the American bollworm pest.

Farmers used to spray pesticides every three-to-four days. However, with the introduction of Bt cotton in 2004, only about seven sprays were required for the entire season.

This has reduced the sale of pesticides by over 30% in the past three years. This has led many farmers in Punjab to conclude that a powerful anti-pesticide lobby had held back the introduction of Bt cotton for all these years.