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Action plan to control mealy bug prepared

Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has prepared an action plan to control the attack of mealy bug on the cotton crop, Chief Secretary R.I. Singh said here on Tuesday.

In a meeting with the officers of various departments, representatives of Punjab Agriculture University and Punjab State Farmers Commission, he expressed concern over the reduction in cotton production due to the fast-spreading pest, which multiplies to around 15 generations per year.

Singh asked the departments of agriculture, horticulture, local bodies, PAU, forests and panchayats to work together to tackle the menace. “Effective pest management strategy should be evolved,” he said.

Financial Commissioner (Development) R. S. Sandhu asked the field staff to monitor the migration of mealy bug to other rabi and horticulture crops. He also directed the horticulture department to keep regular surveillance of orchards during the current rabi season.

Sandhu emphasised that a proper campaign should be launched to create awareness among farmers to control and eradicate weeds before the beginning of the kharif season. Speaking on the occasion, Director Agriculture Balwinder Singh Sidhu said steps were already being taken to control mealy bug by monitoring its movement along the cotton sticks. – PTI

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