Cotton growers lose
cotton production in Punjab is likely to suffer if farmers do not take remedial measures against whitefly pests that were detected recently. Regular surveys carried out by entomologists of the Punjab Agriculture University (pau) have revealed a high build-up of whitefly pests in cotton in the state.
Scientists have advised farmers to stop using synthetic phrethroids and their mixtures and instead have suggested spraying of triazophos and ethion to control the pests, says a report published in the Financial Express .
The damage due to pest attacks in Punjab may result in a severe loss to the current standing crop leading to a drop in the country's cotton production. Two years back, a similar pest attack in the northern belt had hit cotton production hard.
In a bid to increase production, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (icar) has drawn up an action plan for effectively combatting the pests. icar asked states and various agencies and seed corporations to initiate effective measures, to contain the menace in effected states. Earlier, the state seed corporations were told to produce more desi varieties that are pest resistant.