Disease attack on cotton crop feared

LAHORE: Cotton farmers have expressed fears over a possible attack of a disease on the crop due to heavy rains and have sought urgent precautionary measures from the government to save the commodity from further damage.

“Cotton crop in Punjab has entered a most crucial phase where picking of each extra boll will be done. So, timely preventive measures are required to save cotton farmers and the textile industry,” Pakistan Cotton Forum (PCF) Chairman Muhammad Akbar said.

He feared that the crop is likely to be hit by boll-rotting disease due to heavy rains in some areas and recommended timely application of fungicide spray on the crop.

He said the agriculture department should be highly efficient with a proper application of protective measures in the field. He said agriculture advisory and extension staff be activated immediately and deployed to flood-affected areas for providing necessary awareness and services to cotton farmers.

Besides, “all inputs including fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides should be made available to confront any attack on the cotton crop.”

According to him, extra energy and effort to pick extra clean and dry cotton is a must at this crucial juncture for the textile industry. An aggressive media campaign is also needed to create awareness among growers of upcoming challenges regarding protection of cotton, the white gold.

The PCF chairman expressed concern over slow flood relief activities in cotton-growing areas and urged the government to speed up work with the help of farmer organisations and textile industry.

He said the government should take necessary measures including supply of essential material and proper monitoring to save maximum crop and keep the industrial wheel moving.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2010.