Punjabi farmers lost faith in cotton, became more interested in paddy farming, and saw a threefold decrease in area
In the current season, the area of cotton crop, which gives the highest income to the farmers, has come down to only 94,000 hectares in Punjab. In 2019, this area was 3.35 lakh hectares. In the last three to four years, farmers got bumper yield of cotton, and in 2022, the price of cotton went above Rs 10,000 per quintal. But this time the reason for the huge decline in the area of cotton was pests like bollworm and whitefly. In 2023, due to the outbreak of pink caterpillar, farmers could not even get half the production, and for many farmers it became difficult to even recover the cost.
Increased interest in paddy cultivation
The reduction in cotton acreage has raised concerns among agriculture department officials that if appropriate steps are not taken in this direction, farmers may completely abandon cotton cultivation in the coming times and get attracted towards paddy. Paddy cultivation requires more water, which can lead to increased exploitation of groundwater level, which can create a serious crisis for the environment.
Farmers destroying cotton crop
In many villages of Mansa, Bathinda and Fazilka districts, farmers have destroyed cotton crop and started sowing PR 126 paddy variety, which gets ripe in 110 days. An official of the state agriculture department said that the cost of pesticides to farmers to deal with pests like bollworm and whitefly increases, making cotton cultivation economically unviable. Although the income in cotton crop is high, paddy cultivation gives a fixed income.
Need for better seeds
PAU Vice Chancellor Dr SS Gosal said that to increase cotton acreage and ensure good harvest for farmers, they need better seeds. This is necessary to keep farmers away from paddy cultivation in cotton growing areas of south and west Punjab. According to KP Singh, Principal Special Principal Secretary, Agriculture Department, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has been apprised of the situation, and the Punjab government is creating awareness among farmers to focus on low water consuming farming.
Read more :- Minister S. Savitha Says Andhra Pradesh Government to Introduce Enhanced Textile Policy Soon
Regards
Team Sis
Any query plz call 9111677775
https://wa.me/919111677775
