Transforming India Through Agriculture

About Cotton

India has become the world’s largest producer of raw cotton and leads in terms of the total area dedicated to cotton cultivation. Cotton is a crucial fiber and cash crop in India, playing a significant role in both the industrial and agricultural sectors of the country’s economy. It supplies the essential raw material, cotton fiber, to the textile industry. Additionally, cotton farming provides direct livelihoods to millions of farmers, with countless others employed in the cotton trade and processing industries.

Problems Faced by Farmers

Cotton is highly susceptible to pests, making it a challenging crop for farmers to manage. The major pests affecting cotton include tobacco caterpillars, pink, spotted, and American bollworms, aphids, whiteflies, jassids, mealybugs, and spider mites. The bollworm/budworm complex is particularly problematic, with larvae attacking the squares and bolls, leading to significant yield losses if not controlled. The cotton whitefly is another pest of primary concern, affecting fiber, horticultural, and ornamental crops globally. It can cause severe damage through direct feeding, honeydew production, and acting as a vector for viruses.