Anti cotton pests campaign will continue till October 15, to save the late fruiting from pest damage and to check the increasing infestation of whitefly and spotted bollworm.
Fayyaz Bashir, Secretary Agriculture Punjab said this while presiding over the cotton crop management group (CCMG) meeting held at Central Cotton Research Institute Multan on Tuesday.
According to a press release issued here on Tuesday, the meeting was attended by Director General Agri (Ext), Punjab, Director General Agri. (Res) Punjab, Chief Engineers Multan, Bahawalpur, DG Khan and Faisalabad Zone Chief Executive, Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco), District Officers Agriculture (DOS) of cotton zones, representatives of pesticide industry and progressive growers.
It was also reported that 20 percent shortage of water is expected during coming Rabi season. There was consensus in the meeting that perennial and non-perennial canals should be closed before October 10 till October 15.
Responding to the water theft issue the chief engineer irrigation observed that necessary amendment in the laws will be made to make the offence non bailable for checking the water theft problems particularly in rice area.
Dr Ejaz Pervaiz, Director, pest warning and quality control of pesticides highlighted the pest situation and recommended that pest scouting may be done twice a week in cotton crop.
He said American Bollworm Armyworm, spotted bollworm and whitefly were on increasing trend and farmers. He advised the farmers to recommended pesticides against the specific pest and after pest scouting two consecutive sprays on cotton crop should be done to manage the pink bollworm and spotted bollworm attack at the interval of 7-8 days.