After nearly a decade, the fear of whitefly infestations has returned to the cotton belt in the Malwa region, with reports of these pests appearing in parts of Mansa, Bathinda, and Fazilka districts. The State Agriculture Department has mobilized teams to visit affected villages, urging field officers to stay vigilant. Officials are advising farmers to inspect their crops closely and apply recommended sprays to mitigate the infestation.
Announcements through village gurdwara loudspeakers have been made to inform farmers about the rising threat and the importance of following expert recommendations for pest control. Experts have noted that the current hot and humid weather is conducive to pest outbreaks. They also pointed out that many farmers planted moong crops during the summer, which may have exacerbated the whitefly problem.
Whiteflies reproduce quickly and typically hide under leaves, making them difficult to eliminate without direct spraying. The agriculture department has recommended specific sprays effective only at the early stages of infestation.
Farmers have reported a significant reduction in cotton cultivation, now at an all-time low of around 97,000 hectares, as many have shifted to growing paddy, pulses, and maize. This shift is partly due to successive governments' failure to adequately address pest issues.
In a distressing incident, Kulwinder Singh from Bhagi Bander village reportedly destroyed his cotton crop on two acres after a whitefly attack. The situation is reminiscent of the August–September 2015 crisis, when about 60% of the cotton crop on 4.21 lakh hectares was damaged, leading to tragic farmer suicides due to the financial losses incurred.
Jagseer Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer of Bathinda, acknowledged the widespread whitefly presence in the district, attributing it to the extended dry spell. He emphasized that early intervention with recommended sprays can be effective in controlling the pest.
