Third Confirmed Pink Bollworm Attack Detected in Maharashtra

The pink bollworm infestation on cotton crop has been detected in Yavatmal district of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra. 

Meanwhile, Agriculturescientists have also spotted pests in Hiwari village last Friday. 

For the third time, pest attacks and infestation have been spotted on cotton crop. Earlier, the pests were found in 8-10 farms in Vidarbha’s Akola district and in 16 farms in Dhule district of northern Maharashtra. 

The pests in Hiwari village were detected by entomologist Dr. PN Magar and Senior Scientist Dr. PU Nemade of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Yavatmal. 

Farmers engaged in large-scale spraying of pesticides due to the massive pink bollworm attack, which unfortunately led to the death of 21 farmers and farm  laborers.

Around 1,000 are undergoing medical treatment for toxic poisoning symptoms. 

The number of deaths on account of pesticide poisoning dipped from 22 to 0 in Yavatmal due to the free distribution of over 25,000 safety kits in 2018, which included breathing masks, gloves, and synthetic aprons. 

The state agriculture department along with KVK conducted field visits and surveyed the fields at Borisinh, Bham Raja and Hiwari villages of Yavatmal district. 

Dr. Magar regarding the crisis said, “At Hiwari village, one farmer who had sown cotton in the first week of June and the duration of standing crop was 50 to 55 days, had recorded 20 percent infestation of pink bollworm”. 

He observed that the pink bollworm was first to come to notice in Gujarat in 2014, but it took around three years to control the problem. However, he noted that it was controlled one year in Maharashtra.