The state government has decided to approach the Centre to seek compensation for cotton growing farmers who incurred losses after their crop were infested with the Pink Bollworm (or Gulabi Boand). Although farmers and experts have said cotton crop on more than 8 lakh hectares has been hit, the government claims that the loss is not that high. Farmers claim that the pest has become resistant to pesticides, making BT Cotton vulnerable. If the losses are as per the norms set by the National Disaster Response Funds, we will request the Centre for aid and the recovery of the losses from the crop insurance,” Patil said. The minister said that the department has not yet estimated the losses of cotton crop due to the pest.

Source: Hindustan Times December 05, 2017 19:38 UTC