Punjab Agriculture Minister Initiates Intensive Pest Surveillance in Cotton Belt

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian visited Mansa district to assess pest infestation in cotton crops. The teams surveyed 198 spots with no pink bollworm hotspot found and minor whitefly damage above economic threshold levels. Intensive surveillance is ongoing in multiple districts to protect cotton yields.

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian conducted an extensive visit to Mansa district on Friday to evaluate pest infestations affecting cotton crops.

According to an official statement, surveys over 198 locations reported no pink bollworm hotspots. However, three spots showed whitefly damage above economic thresholds.

Khuddian announced the deployment of 128 pest surveillance teams, supervised by joint directors, to monitor crop conditions in Mansa and other districts including Muktsar, Fazilka, Faridkot, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala, and Sangrur.

In Bathinda, 52 teams surveyed 274 fields; in Fazilka, 15 teams monitored 126 fields; while in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 27 teams assessed 163 fields. Mansa had 13 teams overseeing 198 fields.

The teams are offering counsel on insecticide use recommended by the Punjab Agricultural University, along with irrigation advice to farmers.

(With inputs from agencies.)