Farmers’ Awareness Campaign by Dhanuka Agritech & ICAR-CICR Focuses on Pink Bollworm Management Across Northern Cotton Belt

At the program, Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech, delivered a compelling keynote address, urging farmers to remain vigilant against counterfeit agri-inputs. He emphasised the critical importance of purchasing only authenticated products to protect both crop yield and farmer income. Dr. Agarwal also underlined the urgent need for water conservation, calling for integrated efforts from all stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability in farming. Dr. Rishi Kumar, Principal Scientist (Entomology) and Head (I/c), ICAR-CICR Sirsa, spoke on “Challenges and Integrated Insect-Pest Management in Cotton,” offering detailed insights into managing pink bollworm through IPM techniques. Following him, Dr. S.K. Sain, Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology), discussed “Management of Cotton Diseases,” highlighting fungal and bacterial threats that often accompany pest outbreaks.

Dr. Amarpreet Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy), elaborated on “Improved Agronomic Practices for Cotton Cultivation,” stressing the role of timely sowing, appropriate plant spacing, and nutrient management in enhancing cotton resilience. A special address was delivered by Dr. D. Monga, former Principal Scientist and Head (Plant Pathology), ICAR-CICR, who spoke about the general cotton scenario in the North Zone and urged timely interventions to prevent large-scale crop losses. Concluding the technical sessions, Dr. P.K. Chakrabarty, Chief Scientific Advisor to Dhanuka Agritech and former ADG (Plant Protection), ICAR, shared the “Way Forward for Cotton Production in the North Zone,” advocating science-led solutions and stakeholder cooperation.

The final day of the program in Sirsa, Haryana, was graced by Chief Guest Dr. B. S. Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), who lauded the joint efforts of ICAR-CICR and Dhanuka Agritech in educating and empowering cotton growers.

The series of events ended with an interactive session where farmers shared their experiences and sought expert guidance on field-level challenges. The programs not only raised awareness about the pink bollworm but also strengthened the bridge between scientific knowledge and grassroots practice.

The Dhanuka team showcased its extensive portfolio of over 90 crop protection products, each designed to work in different ways to effectively control a variety of pests and diseases. They also introduced some innovative new products developed in collaboration with six leading Japanese companies. Among these are Decide, a powerful insecticide effective against all sucking pests and early-stage pink bollworm (PBW); Konika, a trusted solution for bacterial or mixed boll rot; Vitavax, a highly effective seed treatment; and Mycor Super, a biostimulant that helps plants cope with both biological and environmental stress. These exclusive products are available only through Dhanuka, and even in small quantities, they offer excellent protection against stubborn pests and diseases, provided they are used at the right time and in the correct manner.