5th Stakeholders Interface Meeting on Enhancing Cotton Productivity under Changing Climatic Scenario North Zone

12 October 2025, Haryana

ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Sirsa, Haryana organized the 5th Stakeholders Interface Meeting on Enhancing Cotton Productivity under Changing Climatic Scenario North Zone today.

Dr. S.S. Gosal, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, in his remarks urged all participants to develop higher-yielding, pest & disease-resistant hybrids or varieties to enhance the cotton production. Dr. Gosal also focused on uncertain canal water flow closure, which was hampering the smooth sowing of cotton, leading to decline in  cotton area in entire North zone ( Punjab, Haryana & Rajasthan).

Dr. D.K. Yadav, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR, appreciated the cooperative joint efforts of all stakeholders of North Zone and encouraged all the participants to develop various technologies to get maximum cotton yield and to develop high yielding varieties resistant to pests, diseases and  suitable to changing weather. He also emphasiszed  intensive cotton cultivation techniques,  micro irrigation,  good varieties of seeds, demonstrations of various technologies on  farmers' fields  specially under the Cotton Productivity Mission by the Government of India. Dr.Yadava also discussed and apprised about the efforts being made to prevent fake fertilizers and seeds by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare,Government of India.

Dr. V.N. Waghmare, Director, ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur, presented the major production issues in Cotton. Dr. Waghmare emphasized developing advanced management strategies and their implementation at farmers' fields through the State Agricultural Department of respective states.

At the outset, Dr. Rishi Kumar, Head (I/c), ICAR-CICR RS, Sirsa, presented an overview of the cotton crop situation, insect-pestincidence, disease incidence, management strategies, major cotton production issues, solutions and way forwards in the North cotton growing Zone.

Dr. A. S. Dhatt, Director Research, PAU, Ludhiana, Dr. Rajbir Garg, Director Research, CCSHAU, Hisar, Dr. Vijay Praksh, Director Research,SKRAU, Bikaner,Dr. M.M. Sundaria, Director Research,AU, Jodhpur presented the cotton scenario & major issues in their respective state.

Joint Directors of State Department of Agriculture, KVK Scientist, delegates from CCI, private seed company and agro-input industry, ginners, cotton scientists from all three SAUs and progressive farmers participated in the meeting.

A panel discussion session on the prevailing cotton issues related to seed, soil health, water and nutrition management, pest and disease situation in all three states.

The panel noted that wide sowing window,jassids and  boll rot issues in prevailing raining situations & pink bollworm (PBW) incidence were the issues . It was emaphasied that Pink Bollowrm  proper monitoring using  pheromone trap as well as  through destructive sampling of green bolls is required to detect the incidence ,economic threshold level and  insecticidal sprays to minimize economic damage in this crucial crop stage. In the discussion, all panellists suggested that the concept of HDPS cotton & canopy management needsfurther testing and validation before implementation.The panel also suggested several off-season and pre-season strategicstepsfor management of pinkbollworm and other pest and diseases.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Sirsa)