Punjab Pushes Cotton Cultivation: Agri Officers Directed to Boost ‘White Gold’ Acreage in Malwa
Chandigarh, May 6, 2025 — In a determined move to revive cotton farming in Punjab, the state’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian has set an ambitious target of bringing 1.25 lakh hectares under cotton cultivation this season. The campaign, focused on the Malwa region, seeks to modernize farming practices, ensure quality inputs, and control pest infestations threatening the crop.
Dubbed as “White Gold,” cotton holds strategic economic importance in Punjab’s agriculture. With farmers looking to shift from water-intensive paddy crops, the state government is rolling out a comprehensive action plan to make cotton cultivation more viable, profitable, and sustainable.
Key Directives to District Agriculture Officers
At a recent review meeting with Chief Agriculture Officers (CAOs) of eight Malwa districts — Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Sangrur, Moga, and Faridkot — Minister Khudian stressed the urgency of:
- Training farmers on modern cotton farming techniques
- Strictly monitoring pest infestations, especially pink bollworm and whitefly
- Promoting the use of recommended BT cotton hybrid seeds
- Ensuring timely availability of quality seeds and fertilizers
- Conducting farm-level demonstrations on best cotton cultivation practices
“The Punjab Government, under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to making Punjab a leader in cotton farming once again,” stated Khudian.
Government Incentives and Modern Input Support
To encourage cotton cultivation and reduce input costs, the Punjab Government has announced a 33% subsidy on BT cotton hybrid seeds recommended by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. The aim is to curb the use of non-recommended, poor-quality seeds and boost adoption of high-yield, pest-resistant varieties.
PAU has approved 87 cotton seed varieties optimized for Punjab’s agro-climatic conditions.
In parallel, 961 farmer awareness camps will be conducted in May to encourage a shift from water-depleting crops like paddy to cotton. These camps will provide guidance on seed selection, pest management, and sustainable practices.
Pest Monitoring: Pink Bollworm and Whitefly in Focus
Cotton pests such as pink bollworm and whitefly have historically hampered cotton productivity. In response, the department is executing a multi-layered pest management strategy, which includes:
- Monitoring pink bollworm presence in ginning factories
- Fumigating cotton stock to destroy larvae in ginneries
- Clearing leftover cotton stalks and field residues from last season
- A weed eradication campaign across roadsides, canals, and abandoned lands with support from MGNREGA and district authorities
“Cleaning crop residues and weeds is critical to breaking the lifecycle of pink bollworm and whitefly,” emphasized Minister Khudian.
Demonstration Plots and Quality Control Measures
To familiarize farmers with scientific cultivation methods, the Agriculture Department will set up demonstration plots across 1,875 hectares. These sites will serve as live models to teach farmers how to implement innovative techniques and integrated pest management.
Additionally, seed and fertilizer stores will be regularly inspected to prevent the sale of substandard inputs. Joint Director-level officers have been appointed as Nodal Officers for Cotton Crop, ensuring proper execution of the cotton strategy across districts.
Expert Insights and Future Outlook
Dr. Basant Garg, Administrative Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department, and Director Agriculture Jaswant Singh shared that all necessary support systems are being mobilized to ensure a successful cotton season. From grassroots training to policy-level monitoring, the coordinated approach is designed to:
- Increase yield per hectare
- Reduce pest-related crop losses
- Promote climate-smart farming
- Strengthen Punjab’s cotton economy
If successful, this initiative could set a benchmark for cotton revival in North India.