Whitefly Attack: Punjab Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian Seeks Early Nod to Next-Generation BG-3 Cotton Seed To Tackle Pest Attacks on Cotton Crop

New Delhi, July 18: Expressing deep concern over pest attacks especially Pink Bollworm and whitefly attack on cotton crop, Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Thursday, sought Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's personal intervention in speeding research and approval of the next generation BG-3 cotton seeds. The Punjab Agriculture Minister, who called on the Union Agriculture Minister at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, apprised that current generation BG-2 cotton need to be changed by an advanced seed to make this crop resistant to pest attacks.

According to a release, he thanked Chouhan for granting approval to State Agricultural Statistics Authority (SASA) as this Authority would be a boon to strengthen the planning, monitoring, evaluating, research and development in the field of agriculture in the state. The Punjab Agriculture Minister also apprised the Union Minister about the agrarian concerns of the state including implementation of Crop Residue Management (CRM) scheme, release of funds under RKVY, incentives to manage paddy straw and consistent and continuous supply of fertilisers and subsidy on wheat seed replacement scheme. Punjab Wants Approval to BG-3 Cotton Seeds to Curb Pest Attacks.

Raising the major concern of the state regarding CRM scheme, Khudian said that the central government has changed the funding pattern of CRM scheme to 60:40 (Centre:State) in FY 2023-24, which was earlier 100 per cent centrally sponsored. He urged the Union Agriculture Minister to restore 100 per cent central funding for the CRM scheme keeping in view the contribution of Punjab to national food security. He also sought incentive on per acre basis as compensation to farmers in lieu of the additional cost to be incurred on management of paddy straw.

The Punjab Minister also brought into the notice of Union Minister that shortage of phosphatic fertilisers generally occurs during the Rabi season, and appealed to him to direct the concerned authorities to ensure the continuous supply of phosphatic fertilisers in this season. Khudian said that about Rs 20 crore are being invested annually under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) scheme as per the ICAR policy to replace 33 per cent seed every year. Punjab Agri Dept Forms Surveillance Teams to Check Insect Attack on Cotton Crops.

"However, the Gol has stopped this assistance on wheat seed, which need to be continued for the larger interest of feeding the ever-increasing population of the country" the Punjab Agriculture Minister said.

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