cover story
COTTON GROWERS ARE TENSE
As per government statistics, cotton is grown between 10.5 million to 12.5 million hectares( or 25-30 million acres) across 11 major growing states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Tami Nadu. In peak years like the current period, it may touch 12 mha. The losses due to the bollworm attacks have been estimated to be up to approximately 7,000 crore.
doubts over the viability and success of genetically modified cotton by the activists. At the same time, the experts have been defending its controversial introduction and subsequent monopoly as the success. In the midst of the this, the farmers are in a catch 22 situation. At the moment, the awareness about the right sowing time and integrated pest management seem to be the best solutions. Hope the agriculture ministry will constitutes a high level committee to access the damage and strengthen the ways to tackle it.
16 BioVoiceNews | October 2017