A ban imposed on cotton sowing in the province has been lifted and farmers could start its cultivation without any delay. Punjab Agriculture Department sources told APP that department had imposed a ban on cultivation of cotton till the first week of April to avoid the attackchances of pink bollworm which, in case of early-sown cotton, increases.
And keeping in view the possibility, the department had banned early sowing of the crop, they said. Sources further said that field teams have been mobilised to counter the attack of white fly and pink bollworm.
“The step had been taken after thorough consultations with cotton scientists in order to control pink bollworms,” they added. The department had prepared a plan to offer various free-of-charge services to cotton growers to enhance the crop production, the sources added.
The growers will get friendly pests, facility of pest scouting, PB-ropes, gadgets to arrest enemy pests, training opportunities and consultation services under the plan, they said. The agriculture department had advised growers to use certified varieties of cotton seed, he said, adding that spray of recommended varieties of pesticide should be launched in the first phase of cultivation process of the cotton crop.

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