'Pink crisis' on cotton in Haryana: Farmers scared of pest attack, trend towards millet-guar increased
The “pink crisis” is currently deepening in cotton cultivation in Haryana. Despite high market prices, farmers are staying away from cotton sowing and turning to alternative crops.
According to the information received from Dhigawa Mandi, the price of Narma cotton is currently between Rs 8 to 10 thousand per quintal, but despite this, farmers seem to be losing confidence in this crop. It is estimated that this year the area under cotton may decrease by 60 to 65 percent as compared to last year.
The biggest reason for the disillusionment of farmers is the outbreak of “pink bollworm”. Last year, this insect had caused huge damage to the cotton crop, due to which farmers had to harvest the crop prematurely. Due to this experience, this time farmers are in no mood to take risks.
In view of the situation, the Agriculture Department had already taken several steps out of caution. The officials inspected the cotton mills and gave instructions to keep the cotton seeds covered, so that the spread of pink bollworm could be stopped. Farmers were also advised to remove or destroy cotton residues left in the fields, so that the life cycle of the pest could be broken.
Despite this, the impact remained limited and farmers are now rapidly shifting towards crops like millet, guar and moong. Loharu and Bahal areas of Bhiwani district, which were once known for cotton production, are also seeing a changing crop pattern.
According to farmers, falling groundwater levels, uncertainty over the minimum support price, and increasing threat of pests like pink bollworm and whitefly are the main reasons for their shift away from cotton.
Last year, cotton was cultivated in about 1.52 lakh acres in Bhiwani district, but this time sowing has been done in very less area so far. Experts believe that 8 to 10 thousand more acres can be sown in the coming days.
According to the Agriculture Department, the weather is likely to remain favorable for cotton sowing for the next few days as the temperature has dropped after the recent rains. However, considering the trend of farmers, a decline in cotton production this year is considered certain.
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