Punjab Targets Cotton Revival in Malwa with Modern Farming Push

Punjab Minister Pushes Cotton Cultivation in Malwa, Focus on Modern Practices

Chandigarh: Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian has directed chief agriculture officers across eight districts of the Malwa region to actively train and guide farmers on modern cotton cultivation techniques.

The instructions were issued after reviewing block-wise progress of cotton sowing in Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Sangrur, Moga, and Faridkot. The minister also stressed strict implementation of pest control measures and stronger field-level monitoring.

Khudian said the state has set a target of bringing 1.25 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation this season. To support farmers, the Punjab government has announced a 33% subsidy on BT cotton hybrid seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. The move aims to lower input costs and discourage the use of non-recommended seeds.

He added that the focus is on promoting high-yielding and pest-resistant BT cotton hybrids. PAU has recommended 87 such varieties suited to Punjab’s agro-climatic conditions.

Addressing pest challenges, the minister reviewed steps to control pink bollworm, including proper disposal of cotton stalks and crop residues that act as breeding grounds. A weed eradication drive has also been launched in cotton-growing areas to manage whitefly infestation.

Additionally, officials have been asked to monitor pink bollworm presence in ginning factories and ensure fumigation of cotton stocks to control larvae at the ginning stage.

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