The Centre has issued a warning to all cotton-growing states to check the sowing of white fly-infested seeds to prevent…
(PHOTO: Getty Images)
The Centre has issued a warning to all cotton-growing states to check the sowing of white fly-infested seeds to prevent a repeat of last year's havoc mainly in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Last year witnessed the worst attack of white fly on cotton crop reducing its acreage (production per hectare) to the lowest level since 1955 in Punjab, where 60 % of its crop was damaged due to the pest. The situation was as bad in Haryana and parts of Rajasthan bringing down production to the lowest level.
In an advisory issued to cotton growing states, the Centre has asked them to make sure farmers are given pest-free cotton seeds during the sowing season which began in the first week of April. It has told field officers to educate farmers not to use pest-infested seeds.
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The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has also provided a list of pest-resistant seeds for farmers. “This year government has also laid emphasis on the timely sowing of cotton seeds so as save cotton crop from the likely menace of white fly,” said a senior officer of the Agriculture Ministry.
In its extensive directives to the cotton producing states, the Centre has asked states to carry out sowing within the precincts of a scheduled timeframe and keep a close watch on the movement of pests. It has asked state governments to ensure timely sprinkling to check its spread.
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