In 2021, about 34 per cent loss in production due to severe infestation of pink bollworm on cotton crop with Bathinda being the most affected. The total area under cotton in 2021 was 2.52 lakh hectares.
Amid reports of pink bollworm attacks on cotton crop in some villages of Bathinda and Mansa, the Punjab Agriculture Department has deployed senior officials to visit farms in four districts to help the affected farmers.
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has also canceled the holidays including Saturdays and Sundays of agricultural workers till August 31 in the cotton belt of Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar to monitor the crop.
Khuddian said, “To help farmers fight the pink bollworm attack in the cotton belt, four senior officers have been deputed to Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Fazilka and Mansa districts. These officers will visit the fields to inspect the cotton crop and guide the farmers to prevent the attack of this pest, apart from monitoring the work of the officers.
"The next 15 days are very crucial for the cotton crop," he said.
In 2021, about 34 per cent loss in production due to severe infestation of pink bollworm on cotton crop with Bathinda being the most affected. The total area under cotton in 2021 was 2.52 lakh hectares.
The then Congress government led by Charanjit Singh Channi had announced a compensation of Rs 17,000 per acre for the farmers.
Last year, the area under cotton in the state was 2.48 lakh hectares and it is expected to decline sharply to 1.75 lakh hectares in 2023, of which the maximum is in Fazilka at 92,000 hectares.
In Punjab, the cotton belt extends over eight districts in the south-west region of the state. These are Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka, Muktsar, Sangrur, Barnala, Moga and Faridkot. And, more than 95 percent of this area is in Fazilka, Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar.
The cotton sector has not been affected by the floods, but farmers in Abohar are complaining of water scarcity. However, according to agriculture experts, moisture in the cotton belt is the reason for pest infestation.
Meanwhile, the procurement of raw cotton will formally begin on August 21 at the Abohar mandi. The purchase will be of the lower part of the cotton plant which is getting ready, while the flowers are seen on the upper part. In such a situation, the attack at this time has rung the bell of danger.
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