New Delhi, October 7, 2023 - The cotton crop for the 2023-24 season in North India faces an unprecedented threat from a relentless infestation of pink bollworm. This infestation, compounded by a prolonged dry spell during August-September, poses a significant risk to cotton yields and quality, according to agricultural experts.
The cotton acreage for the current kharif season has already dwindled by 5 percent, with sowing delayed by 15-20 days due to the delayed monsoon. Erratic weather patterns throughout the year have further complicated the situation.
While May offered some relief with rainfall, June remained dry, and July witnessed record-breaking heavy rains. However, August stayed dry, and the first half of September continued the dry spell, followed by heavy rainfall in the second half. The cumulative 45-day dry spell during August-September is expected to have a severe negative impact on both yield and cotton quality.
The pink bollworm infestation, primarily concentrated in North India, remains a central concern for cotton growers. Experts have highlighted that a heavy infestation has spread across cotton-growing districts in Haryana and North Rajasthan, causing substantial losses for smallholder cotton farmers in districts like Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Bhiwani, and Hisar.
This year has recorded the most severe pink bollworm infestation since it was first identified in North India during the 2021-22 season. The early flowering of cotton, coupled with the persistence of the pink bollworm population, has exacerbated the issue, resulting in multiple life cycles of this devastating pest during kharif 2023.
The impact of these challenges on cotton prices remains uncertain, primarily due to a significant inventory of cotton yarn and fabrics in mills resulting from weak exports. This surplus has led to reduced demand for raw cotton from spinning mills.
(By Commodities Control Bureau; +91-9820130172)
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