Cotton crisis due to 'Lalya' disease in Maharashtra, farmers worried
By yash chouhan 2025-11-17 12:03:35
Maharashtra: Cotton crop in crisis due to 'Lalya' disease, Yavatmal farmers frustrated by government apathy.
Wardha: Farmers already troubled by natural disasters are now facing a severe crisis due to 'Lalya' disease. The disease is wreaking havoc in cotton-producing fields in several areas of the tehsil, including Kashimpur, Circuspur, Nimboli, Tona, and Deurwada. The lush green cotton leaves have turned red and dried up, stunting plant growth and severely impacting production.
Farmers, already facing financial hardship due to the loss of their soybean crop, had considered cotton as their last hope, but now 'Lalya' disease has taken away that hope. In this critical situation, the government machinery's laxity and indifference are further fueling farmers' anger.
Farmers are deeply angry. Agricultural schools, colleges, and agricultural science experts failed to provide timely information on potential diseases and preventive measures. This negligence by the Agriculture Department has caused intense resentment among farmers. Farmers say that if timely warnings and preventive measures had been provided, the current situation could have been avoided.
Indian Cotton Corporation Launches Online Registration Farmers are reacting that the crop crisis is deepening, but the government does not seem serious about their issues. Along with the crop crisis, the issue of cotton sales is also troubling farmers. The Indian Cotton Corporation has launched online registration, but many farmers have not yet been certified. Farmers allege that the purchase of cotton from those who have registered is also being deliberately delayed.
The government is not purchasing even the small amount of cotton stored at home, forcing farmers to sell it to private traders at low prices. This raises the question: is the government's policy aimed at serving commercial interests?
