Pest infestation delays cotton procurement in Vidarbha

 

 

 

Farmers, specially cotton growers, across Vidarbha are facing mounting distress this season as prolonged cloudy weather, continuous rainfall, and lack of sunlight have severely affected their crops. Traditionally, private cotton procurement begins around Dussehra, but this year, the situation is markedly different.

 

Owing to poor crop quality and widespread pest infestation, the cotton bolls are yet to mature, leaving farmers in deep uncertainty. Agricultural expert Rahul Wadaskar, attributed much of the damage to a combination of excessive moisture and pest attacks. Over the past two months, the fields have remained damp, leading to the spread of leaf yellowing and boll rot. Farmers report that the bolls are either not opening or are decaying prematurely due to fungal infections. Adding to the crisis, several parts of Nagpur, Wardha, and Yavatmal districts have witnessed attacks by bollworms and ‘Spodoptera litura’ - a leaf-eating caterpillar known to cause extensive defoliation.

 

The Spodoptera infestation, which typically spreads in humid conditions, has been particularly aggressive this year. Its larvae feed on cotton leaves and tender bolls, reducing photosynthetic capacity and hampering boll development. Agronomists at the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, have warned that if the pest population crosses the economic threshold, yields could fall by up to 30 percent. Amid these challenges, the extension of the cotton procurement registration deadline has brought temporary relief. However, with delayed boll opening, falling yields, and increased pest pressure, farmers remain anxious about both quantity and quality. Unless the weather clears and procurement begins promptly, Vidarbha’s cotton economy, already strained by past losses, may face yet another difficult year.