Maharashtra: Cotton farmers concerned as pink bollworm infestation spreads
(WorldNews India)

Cotton growers in Maharashtra are concerned about reports of Pink Bollworm (PBW) infestation in an increasing number of villages. As of last week, at least 77 villages have reported infestation, up from 50 in the last week of July. After a season relatively free of infestation in 2019-20, the present cotton season has seen early signs of infestation. D B Undirwade, professor of the Akola-based Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, had first reported infestation in Talera taluka of the district. The pest was reported in fields where farmers had done pre-monsoon sowing. Undirwade, in his report, had said the nationwide lockdown could have distracted from the necessary field preparation, which...