Centre Reviews Cotton Crop in Hisar as Pink Bollworm Threat Emerges

Central Team Inspects Cotton Fields in Hisar Amid Pest and Rain Concerns

Hisar: A team from the Union Agriculture Ministry visited Hisar district to inspect cotton crops following complaints from farmers about pest infestations, particularly the pink bollworm.

The team carried out field inspections in Mangali Jhara village, where traces of pink bollworm were found in the standing crop, according to officials from the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department. However, authorities clarified that the infestation is currently below the economic threshold level and advised farmers to remain vigilant without panicking.

The inspection team included Assistant Plant Protection Officers Laxmikant, KP Sharma, and Suraj Beniwal from the Regional Integrated Pest Management Centre (RIPMC), Faridabad, along with Dr. Arun Kumar Yadav, Plant Protection Officer, and Agricultural Development Officer Ravinder Antil.

Dr. Arun Kumar Yadav stated that information about the pest incidence was received from local farmers and was promptly reported to higher authorities in Chandigarh and at the Centre. A farmer, Narsi Ram Khichar, said he had noticed the pest earlier and informed the agriculture department.

Cotton acreage in Hisar has been declining over the past three years, mainly due to recurring pest attacks such as pink bollworm. This season, cotton has been sown on around 2.1 lakh acres, down from 2.5 lakh acres last year, indicating reduced farmer interest following repeated losses.

Officials advised that pesticide spraying should only be carried out if four or more affected bolls are observed per plant. Otherwise, farmers should focus on regular monitoring. The team also noted that leftover cotton plant residues in fields may have contributed to the spread of the pest.

Meanwhile, some areas in the district, especially in the Adampur cotton belt, are facing crop damage due to excessive rainfall. Villages such as Sishwal, Adampur, Ladwi, Mahalsara, and Kohli have reported significant losses, with standing water increasing the risk of para wilt disease.

Adampur MLA Chander Prakash visited the affected villages to assess the situation and directed irrigation officials to take immediate steps to drain excess water from fields. He also urged the government to conduct a proper survey of the damage and provide prompt financial assistance to the affected farmers.

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