PAU promotes indigenous cotton to revive Malwa agriculture

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is taking steps to revive the cotton crop in the Malwa region by promoting indigenous high-yield varieties. The university's vice-chancellor, Satbir Singh Gosal, emphasized that desi cotton is a good option for the medical sector and is resistant to the harmful whitefly pest. PAU recommends three specific desi cotton varieties for farmers: LD 949, LD 1019, and FDK 124. Another variety, PBD 88, is in trials and may be released for the next planting season. Starting this year, agricultural teams will inform farmers in semi-arid areas about these varieties and provide them with seeds. Seed production will increase in the following seasons to encourage farmers to return to growing this natural fiber. Gosal clarified that promoting desi cotton does not mean replacing BT cotton. Instead, it aims to diversify cotton cultivation, which is crucial for the economy of southwest districts. Last year, cotton farming decreased significantly, leading many farmers to switch to rice. This trend raises concerns about soil quality as some farmers use salty water for rice, which could harm future cotton growth. Paramjit Singh, a crop breeder at PAU, noted that desi cotton varieties are naturally resistant to pests. The new variety PBD 88 has shown production levels comparable to hybrids in trials over the past three years. PAU plans to involve farmers in growing PBD 88 this year to gather their feedback before selling its seeds next year. According to RRS director Karamjit Singh Sekhon, the area planted with desi cotton has greatly reduced over the past decade. He highlighted that unlike hybrids, farmers can save and reuse desi cotton seeds each year, lowering costs. Additionally, desi cotton is popular for use in surgical applications, quilts, and clothing, making it a valuable product in the market.