In a bid to mitigate the risks associated with pest infestations and ensure a stable income, farmers in Punjab are increasingly abandoning their cotton crops in favor of late-maturing paddy varieties. This shift comes as a response to persistent attacks by whitefly and pink bollworm, which have left many cotton fields struggling.
Recent reports indicate that farmers across Bathinda, Mansa, and Fazilka districts are opting to plough under their cotton crops. The affected fields are being prepared for the transplantation of the PR 126 variety of paddy, which promises more reliable returns.
In Fazilka, known for its cotton cultivation, the situation has reached a critical point. Gurpreet Singh and his father Ajaib Singh from Patti Sadiq village have already ploughed under their cotton crop on one and a half acres, while retaining the cotton on three acres. Despite the Agriculture Department’s assessment that the infestation levels are below the economic threshold level (ETL), Gurpreet Singh expressed concerns over potential losses and rising input costs from additional pest control measures. “With the pressures of family and social obligations, and the fear of another financial hit, we decided to switch to paddy,” Singh told The Tribune.
The Agriculture Department has been actively monitoring the situation, with 128 teams surveying 240 locations across the cotton belt. While insect attacks have been documented, they have generally remained within ETL limits. Officials are advising farmers on best practices to protect their crops from pests.
This year’s cotton crop has been fraught with challenges. Last year, over 25% of cotton was sold below the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 6,620 per quintal, compared to an average price of Rs 10,000 per quintal in 2022-23. This downturn has left farmers wary of potential losses due to ongoing pest issues.
Director of Agriculture Jaswant Singh confirmed that department officials are conducting bi-weekly visits to monitor the situation. He noted that the decision to plough under cotton crops is often contingent upon the availability of PR 126 paddy seedlings. “Farmers are making these decisions based on the availability of alternatives and the current state of their crops,” Singh explained.
As Punjab’s farmers navigate these difficult conditions, the shift to paddy represents a strategic move to safeguard their livelihoods and secure more predictable returns in the face of agricultural uncertainties.
