Agri Minister continues visit to Narma cotton belt

Abohar, July 27

Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian continued to visit the Narma cotton belt in the Malwa region. The minister today inspected the cotton fields in Khairpur, Sayeed Wala, Patti Taja, and Gobindgarh villages of the Balluana assembly constituency near Abohar and interacted with the farmers.

Khudian said the Punjab Government has asked the Agriculture Department to remain vigilant and make efforts to promote Narma cotton farming. He said 128 teams of the department were deputed to survey the fields. He said sampling of cotton was being done by the department to ensure high-quality pesticides, fungicides, and fertilisers were used for cotton and other crops.

The minister said the Malwa canal was being constructed by the government, and residents of Abohar and Balluana areas would benefit the most from it. He said it would be the first time such a major canal would be built in the state since Independence.

He said the Punjab Government had raised an issue with the Central Government regarding the release of three Narma Bt cotton seeds. He said he hoped that the introduction of new varieties would give a boost to the Narma cotton crop.

Khudian urged farmers to spray pesticides as per the recommendations of the Agriculture Department and Punjab Agricultural University. He said farmers should inform the department of any pest or disease attack on their crops.

Balluana MLA Amandeep Singh Goldy Musafir accompanied Khudian.