Beware of spurious seed dealers from Gujarat: DC

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 1

With the cotton sowing season on the anvil, the Punjab Government has directed Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) and the Agriculture Department, Punjab, has laid out an action plan to control the population of whitefly.

Taking a serious note of BT seeds from Gujarat reaching markets, DC Diprava Lakra appealed to farmers to beware of the spurious Bt seed dealers who sell PAU non-recommended varieties. He directed the police chief to take strict legal action against those who indulge in such practices.

The DC said no Bt cotton variety had been developed so far that is resistant to all kinds of pests and diseases.

Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Gurditta Singh Sidhu said farmers should sow only PAU- recommended variety. Working to create awareness on the issue, the department is distributing pamphlets, flexes, holding farmer training camps and is also spreading awareness through radio and print media, he said.