Punjab introduces cotton crop monitoring system

The move was initiated to counter pest attacks on cotton crop that affected almost 15% of the sown area in Punjab.

LAHORE: In the wake of pest attacks and damage incurred by rains, the Punjab Agriculture Department has introduced a cotton crop monitoring system in the province by using information technology.

A spokesperson of the agriculture department said on Tuesday the system will help dissemination of information regarding presence of cotton pests and rain damage in every district of Punjab.

He said the measures adopted for protection of the crop and opinion of experts for improving the situation will also be shared through this system, which has been attached with internet by the cooperation of Punjab Information Technology Board. He said agriculture department was working day and night to protect cotton and various other crops in the province.

The spokesperson maintained competitions will also be arranged in 20 districts of the province among best cotton growers and the winners would be awarded with prizes.



The move was initiated to counter pest attacks on cotton crop that affected almost 15 per cent of the sown area in Punjab. The situation sparked fears among farmers that it would be difficult for them to reap a bumper harvest.

Farmers from the south of Punjab were worried about the deteriorating condition of the key crop, which feeds the giant textile industry of the country. They urged the provincial government to take preventive measures to stave off further losses.

According to agricultural experts, Cotton Leaf Curl (CLC) virus and white fly attacked the crop throughout the province, but southern Punjab was hit the hardest. As a result, the farmers, who got seeds and fertilisers on credit from traders, suffered heavy losses. Experts feared that cotton crop faced a major risk as southern Punjab, which was considered a high production zone in the province, had seen the biggest loss.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2017.