Madhya Pradesh: Cotton crop in Barwani suffers double blow, rain and pink bollworm infestation reduce production from 12 to 3 quintals per acre
The hardships of cotton farmers in Barwani district are steadily increasing. First, continuous rain and waterlogging damaged the crops, and now the pink bollworm infestation has dashed any remaining hopes. Farmers are deeply disappointed to see the wilting and decaying crops in the fields.
According to farmer Bhagirath Patel, the continuous rain has flooded the fields, causing the cotton tassels (unripe fruits) to rot and turn black. He said that previously, cotton production was 10 to 12 quintals per acre, but this year it is expected to be barely 2 to 3 quintals.
Meanwhile, Mahesh Dhangar, a farmer from Talun village, said that he had planted cotton on three and a half acres, but the natural disaster and pink bollworm destroyed the entire crop. He said, "There are three to four caterpillars in each cob, which has completely ruined the crop." The farmer explained that he has spent approximately one lakh rupees on three and a half acres, while the yield has been only 2 to 2.5 quintals per acre. He has demanded compensation from the government, considering this a natural disaster.
Debt Burden and Import Duty Burden
Farmer Sanjay Yadav also reported that his entire four-acre crop was damaged by pink caterpillar. He said, "First, there was the rain, and now the pink caterpillar disease has ruined the crop. We had hoped to produce more than 10 quintals this time, but we haven't even got two." Describing their plight, farmers say that they take loans to grow crops, but sometimes disasters or diseases destroy the crop, making it difficult to repay the loans.
Another major blow to farmers has been the reduced import duty on foreign cotton. They say that due to cheap imports, the price of cotton has fallen in the domestic market. Additionally, CCI procurement is delayed, making it difficult for farmers to store their produce.
Cotton procurement has begun in the district's markets, but it will take another 8 to 15 days to harvest the crop from the fields. Farmers grappling with this double whammy are in deep financial crisis, and their anger is growing.
read more :-Cotton prices below MSP, CCI intervention sought
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