Govt mulls panel to curb spread of whitefly pest in Punjab

The Centre today said it is considering setting up a high level expert committee to monitor and check the spread of whitefly pest infestation to cotton growing areas in Punjab.
A decision in this regard has been taken after assessing the report submitted by a five-member central team that had recently visited the whitefly pest affected area of Abohar in Fazilka district.
The report has found whitefly infestation in the kharif cotton crop in 4,400 hectare in Fazilka at a level that calls for pesticides spray urgently.
It may be noted that whitefly pest has attacked cotton crop in Punjab for the second straight year.

"The central team after visiting Punjab has submitted a detailed report. After seeing the report, we are looking at establishing a high-level committee of experts to closely supervise the cotton crop in Punjab," a senior Agriculture Ministry official told PTI.
The committee, which would also have a representative from the state government, will not only monitor the crop situation but also prevent spread of whitefly pest in other areas of the state, the official said.

Based on the report, the state government has been told to take steps to prevent any damage to crop and advise growers to spray recommended chemicals.

Asked if there are reports of pest attack in other cotton growing areas in the state, the official said, "Whitefly pest is under greater control in Punjab as compared to the last year, thanks to increased awareness programs taken this time."
The state government has taken proactive steps this year to control whitefly pest. It has appointed officers to ensure that if infestation crosses a level, requiring pesticide spray, farmers are advised accordingly, the official added.
Notably, whitefly pest attack had caused widespread damage to Bt cotton varieties in Punjab and Haryana last year.
In Punjab, 1.36 lakh hectares out of total 4.50 lakh hectares of cotton acreage was ravaged by whitefly attack last season and the output had dropped by 40 per cent due to large scale pest attack.

This time, the whitefly attack was spotted on cotton crop which was planted near orchards in Abohar which is known for Kinnow fruit.
Cotton growing area in Punjab saw one of the biggest declines this Kharif season, which shrunk to 2.56 lakh hectares as against 4.50 lakh hectares last season.