Pink bollworm destroys cotton crop in Bathinda

Around 100 acres of cotton crop has come under pink bollworm attack in Jodhpur Romana village in Bathinda district. Farmers alleged that cotton bolls were disposed of after removing fibre by cotton factory units, which resulted in infestation by the bollworm.

Dr Sukhdev Sidhu, Joint Director (plant protection), Agriculture Department and Dr Vijay Kumar, Principal Entomologist, PAU (Ludhiana), and Dr Paramjit, Director, PAU (Regional Centre, Bathinda) visited the affected areas to take stock of the situation today.

Aggrieved farmers under the banner of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Mansa), gheraoed the officials who visited the affected fields. The officials inspected cotton factories situated adjacent to the infested fields and also held a meeting with owners of seven cotton units.

Gurmeet Singh, who had taken land on a lease, said, “My crop has been severly affected. I had been spraying pesticide every alternate day to save the crop from bollworm attack, but it has barely helped.”

Dr Bahadur Singh, Chief Agricultural Officer, Bathinda, said, “After conducting the survey, the department will start spraying insecticides to prevent further spread of pink bollworm attack. We will ensure round-the-clock surveillance of the area to minimise the damage.”