Pink bollworms may hurt Maharashtra cotton crop

PUNE: Maharashtra’s farmers and traders are worried that the cotton crop in the state may again get a significant pink bollworm infestation. As cotton prices have been ruling firm, driven by good demand in domestic and international markets, trade is worried that cotton production might actually fall. “We have informed the farmers that cotton and cotton seed prices are likely to remain good. However, the area under the crop could decline by at least 10 per cent ,” said Pradeep Jain, president, Khandesh Ginning and Pressing Association. Pink bollworm is an insect which can ravage cotton crop. Anil Ghanvat, president of late Sharad Joshi-founded Shetkari Sangathan, said: “The state has failed to create awareness among farmers to take precautionary measures to control pink bollworm infestation. A large number of farmers kept the cotton crop in their fields till April and May.”

Agricultural experts had advised early termination of the cotton crop, and keeping the fields vacant for about two months to kill pink bollworm as it can survive only on cotton crop. “Efforts of the Maharashtra government did not match up to the initiative of the Gujarat government, which has successfully reduced the risk of pink bollworm,” said Ghanvat.

Jain said it was difficult to convince farmers to remove the crop from the field earlier. “An additional production of about a quintal that farmers get by keeping the crop till April/May give them extra income of Rs 10,000,” he said. Meanwhile, several factors are driving up cotton demand in India.


“The domestic demand growth from downstream segments has started showing signs of restoration, post the twin-transitory pressures of demonetisation and GST. This is expected to drive demand for cotton, putting an upward pressure on cotton prices,” said Icra.