Early Pink Bollworm Activity Detected in Haryana, Cotton Farmers Advised Scientific Monitoring
By jayesh chouhan 2026-07-23 13:01:27
Early Pink Bollworm Activity in Haryana; Cotton Farmers Advised to Adopt Scientific Monitoring
Following signs of early pink bollworm activity in Haryana's cotton-growing regions, the Agriculture Department has advised farmers to remain vigilant and adopt scientific monitoring systems. Experts state that the cotton crop can be saved from significant damage by timely adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques.
A joint survey team—comprising members from the Faridabad-based Regional Integrated Pest Management Centre (RIPMC) and the Office of the Joint Director of Agriculture (Cotton) in Sirsa—inspected cotton fields in Sirsa district. During the inspection, signs of an early pink bollworm outbreak were detected in some fields. The team briefed farmers on scientific pest control measures and IPM techniques.
Officials advised farmers to install four to five pheromone traps per acre, equipped with cotton-specific pheromone lures, to continuously monitor pink bollworm activity and implement control measures at an early stage. Additionally, the installation of 20 yellow or blue sticky traps per hectare has been recommended to monitor and control sucking pests.
Pheromone trap-based demonstration plots have been established in major cotton-producing districts, including Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Hansi, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, and Jind. According to the Agriculture Department, farmers utilizing these techniques have achieved better results in monitoring and managing the pink bollworm.
Agricultural officials have urged farmers to use only those pesticides that are registered and approved by the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIB&RC). Furthermore, they advised spraying pesticides only when pest populations exceed the Economic Threshold Level.
The survey team also informed farmers about the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) mobile app. This app assists in identifying pests and diseases, providing crop protection advice, and enabling real-time monitoring, thereby facilitating timely, informed decisions and preventing the unnecessary use of pesticides.
It is worth noting that the cotton crop in Sirsa district suffered significant damage due to pink bollworm infestations during 2023, 2024, and 2025. This year, farmers are facing a serious challenge from excessive rainfall alongside the pink bollworm threat, which has impacted the cotton crop in several areas.
