Farmers Urged to Monitor Cotton Crop as Whitefly, Jassid Threat Emerges in Bahawalnagar
Chishtian: Director Agriculture (Extension), Bahawalpur Division, Muhammad Jameel Ghori, has urged cotton growers to regularly monitor their crops and ensure timely control of weeds and harmful pests to protect yields during the current growing season.
Accompanied by Deputy Director Agriculture (Extension) Bahawalnagar, Mehr Talib Hussain, the director inspected cotton fields in villages across Tehsil Chishtian and Tehsil Haroonabad. Speaking to the media after the field visits, he said the cotton crop in Bahawalnagar district was generally in satisfactory condition. However, the presence of whiteflyand jassid (green leafhopper) had been observed in several fields, requiring immediate pest management measures.
He advised farmers to use balanced fertilizers, avoid excessive application of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and adopt proper crop management practices. During the ongoing heatwave, he recommended light irrigation and the foliar application of 2% potassium nitrate or amino acid sprays to reduce heat stress and improve crop health.
The visiting officials also reviewed pest scouting activities and assessed the performance of field staff. They interacted with farmers and provided technical guidance on improving per-acre cotton yields through timely crop monitoring and integrated pest management.
Later, addressing participants at a cotton training workshop organized by the CABI in Chishtian, Muhammad Jameel Ghori emphasized that cotton is not merely an agricultural crop but a key driver of Pakistan’s industrial economy. He urged agriculture officers and extension staff to provide timely advisory services to farmers to help increase cotton productivity and strengthen the country’s textile sector.
Source: Chishtian.pk
