Area under cotton nearly half of targeted 5 lakh hectares in Punjab till now

BATHINDA: Cotton crop in Punjab has so far been sown in 60% of the targeted area of 5 lakh hectares even though the ideal time for doing so is almost over. Even though cotton is sown till May end and sometimes even till the first week of June, the crop sown after May 15 is considered prone to pest attack.

In its advisory to farmers, the state agriculture department has recommened cotton sowing by May 15 as plants of late sown crop remain weak and are prone to insects.

In case of delay, prefer sowing Guar instead of cotton, it adds. Officials say till May 17 evening, cotton was sown in little over 3 lakh hectares.

As the Covid-19 lockdown delayed the wheat harvest, which started from April 15 and continued till the first week of May, the canal water also reached the villages late which further pushed back cotton sowing. The state government had fixed the area under cotton crop 5 lakh hectares this year, up from 3.90 lakh in previous year.

Fazilka chief agriculture officer Manjit Singh said that even though canal water was made available to farmers only from May 5, which delayed sowing, they were hopeful of the district meeting its target. Similarly, Mansa chief agriculture officer Ram Sarup said though nearly 60% crop had been sown, the district would achieve the target. Over 95% cotton is sown in the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Fazilka and Muktsar, and only small quantity is sown in Faridkot, Barnala, Sangrur and Moga .

Punjab agriculture secretary Kahan Singh Pannu said cotton has already been sown in over 3 lakh hectares and sowing was in full swing now. “It is hoped the target will be achieved by the end of May,” he said.