Sirsa,
Haryana, July 29, 2025 : In a concerted effort to combat the growing
menace of pink bollworm infestation in cotton, Dhanuka Agritech Ltd.,
in collaboration with ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR),
Regional Station, Sirsa, organised a three-day Farmers’ Awareness Program across
key cotton-growing regions in North India. The event series was
held in Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan), Abohar (Punjab), and
concluded in Sirsa (Haryana), drawing participation from hundreds of
cotton farmers, scientists, and agricultural stakeholders.The
program aimed to sensitise farmers about the best practices for pink bollworm
management while also promoting sustainable agriculture. Each day featured
in-depth technical sessions by leading scientists from ICAR-CICR.
At
the program, Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman
Emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech, delivered a compelling keynote address, urging
farmers to remain vigilant against counterfeit agri-inputs. He emphasised the
critical importance of purchasing only authenticated products to protect both
crop yield and farmer income. Dr. Agarwal also underlined the urgent need for
water conservation, calling for integrated efforts from all stakeholders to
ensure long-term sustainability in farming. Dr. Rishi Kumar, Principal Scientist (Entomology) and Head (I/c),
ICAR-CICR Sirsa, spoke on “Challenges and Integrated Insect-Pest Management in
Cotton,” offering detailed insights into managing pink bollworm through IPM
techniques. Following him, Dr. S.K.
Sain, Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology), discussed “Management of
Cotton Diseases,” highlighting fungal and bacterial threats that often
accompany pest outbreaks.
Dr. Amarpreet Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy), elaborated on “Improved
Agronomic Practices for Cotton Cultivation,” stressing the role of timely
sowing, appropriate plant spacing, and nutrient management in enhancing cotton
resilience. A special address was delivered by Dr. D. Monga, former Principal Scientist and Head (Plant
Pathology), ICAR-CICR, who spoke about the general cotton scenario in the North
Zone and urged timely interventions to prevent large-scale crop losses.
Concluding the technical sessions, Dr.
P.K. Chakrabarty, Chief Scientific Advisor to Dhanuka Agritech and former
ADG (Plant Protection), ICAR, shared the “Way Forward for Cotton Production in
the North Zone,” advocating science-led solutions and stakeholder cooperation.
The
final day of the program in Sirsa, Haryana, was graced by Chief Guest Dr. B. S. Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh
Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), who lauded the joint efforts of
ICAR-CICR and Dhanuka Agritech in educating and empowering cotton growers.
The
series of events ended with an interactive session where farmers shared their
experiences and sought expert guidance on field-level challenges. The programs
not only raised awareness about the pink bollworm but also strengthened the
bridge between scientific knowledge and grassroots practice.
The
Dhanuka team showcased its extensive portfolio of over 90 crop protection
products, each designed to work in different ways to effectively control a
variety of pests and diseases. They also introduced some innovative new
products developed in collaboration with six leading Japanese companies. Among
these are Decide, a powerful
insecticide effective against all sucking pests and early-stage pink bollworm
(PBW); Konika, a trusted solution for
bacterial or mixed boll rot; Vitavax,
a highly effective seed treatment; and Mycor
Super, a biostimulant that helps plants cope with both biological and
environmental stress. These exclusive products are available only through
Dhanuka, and even in small quantities, they offer excellent protection against
stubborn pests and diseases, provided they are used at the right time and in
the correct manner.
