Punjab is facing challenges in boosting cotton production, with acreage declining from 2.52 lakh hectares in 2021 to just 95,000 hectares in 2024 due to pest attacks and unfavorable climatic conditions. To address this issue, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has introduced a new high-yielding non-Bt cotton variety, PBD88, which is resistant to pests like whitefly and jassid. This variety can produce nearly 11 quintals per acre, which is higher than other indigenous varieties and comparable to hybrid cotton yields. PBD88 requires only 3 kg of seeds per acre and allows farmers to complete harvesting in three cycles instead of six, significantly reducing labor and pest control costs. The state agriculture department has distributed over 100 quintals of PBD88 seeds and is offering a 33% subsidy on cotton seeds to encourage its cultivation. Experts believe that promoting this variety will help diversify cotton cultivation in Punjab, which is vital for the region's economy.