Recently, the technical committee of the worried Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) held a meeting to discuss measures to control the mealy bug attack and availability of pesticides in the country as they are affecting the standing cotton crop in major cotton producing areas.
In Punjab and Sindh region, over 150,000 acres out of the total 8,000,000 acres of cotton producing area is under attack of mealy bug virus. Farmers of these areas have been facing other problems like the leaf-curl-virus, drought, reddening of leaves since 2005.
Statistics reveal that around 40 percent of cotton yields have been damaged in Punjab this year. Nearly 12 percent of the crop had been destroyed last year due to virus attacks.
During the meeting, MINFAL urged private pesticide companies to immediately import 1,400 tons of pesticides despite the fact that around 107 tons is already available with them.
In turn, companies dealing in chemicals and pesticides presented their demands in order to seek some relaxation for the import of these products. They were ensured that Government would extend their support for imports of pesticides.
In Punjab and Sindh region, over 150,000 acres out of the total 8,000,000 acres of cotton producing area is under attack of mealy bug virus. Farmers of these areas have been facing other problems like the leaf-curl-virus, drought, reddening of leaves since 2005.
Statistics reveal that around 40 percent of cotton yields have been damaged in Punjab this year. Nearly 12 percent of the crop had been destroyed last year due to virus attacks.
During the meeting, MINFAL urged private pesticide companies to immediately import 1,400 tons of pesticides despite the fact that around 107 tons is already available with them.
In turn, companies dealing in chemicals and pesticides presented their demands in order to seek some relaxation for the import of these products. They were ensured that Government would extend their support for imports of pesticides.
