Due to the shortage of irrigation water during the sowing period, about 30 per cent of the cotton crop in Sindh, particularly in upper Sindh, has become late this year. This very phenomenon is of course not new, and has happened in the past too. In the year 1999-2000 very little or absence of monsoon rain along with the late arrival of water in the irrigation canals had created a draught-like situation in Sindh. Ponds and ditches, as well as vast low lying acreage, in the rice growing districts of Shikarpur and Larkana, that were under prolonged submergence of water due to seepage of irrigation water and monsoon rains, had completely dried out. Taking advantage of this situation, many prudent and financially sound growers properly harnessed the potential of this prolonged draught season. Drying of submerged land having wild aquatic perennial plants and weeds had allowed heavy machinery in the field, particularly heavy excavators, to convert these waste water logged fields in to fish ponds. It was found economically viable and sound, becoming a permanent source of income for the growers as a result. However, because of the late arrival of water in the irrigation canals, particularly Rice, Dadu and Kirthar, which originates from Sukkur barrage, transplantation of paddy crop dependent on these canals water had become late which had its own demerits.
A survey of rice and cotton growing districts of upper Sindh undertaken by this scribe during the 3rd week of June 2018 has revealed that harsh summer and absence of rain, coupled with acute shortage of water in the irrigation canals, have created almost a drought like situation. In District Shikarpur and Khairpur the majority of shallow fish ponds were found completely dry and many fish farm owners reported heavy fish mortality due to high summer temperature this year.
In the same realm, it is not a surprise that sugarcane crop has also sustained damage due to shortage of water and drought like situation, but it is not vulnerable to insect pests, except for sporadic black bug and mites.
Nonetheless, the worst victim of this scenario were the cotton growers of Sindh, particularly of upper Sindh. To compensate the shortage of water and complete the sowing of cotton in May, many growers even opted for tube-well water, with deep bore adjoining water channels. Since it was a costly venture, it remain restricted only to some resourceful growers. Survey of cotton growing areas of Districts Ghotki, Sukkur and Khairpur has indicated that in many places almost 40% cotton areas are without cotton. As a matter of fact, shortage of cotton acreage is not the main concern for the growers because acreage, which has remained without cotton crop, an oil seed crop, locally known as ‘til’, can be cultivated in the sowing period which is still in their hands. However, the most haunting threat ahead for the cotton growers is for those cotton acreage where the sowing has taken place in June.
Here it would also be appropriate to mention that the late sown Bt cotton now has become vulnerable to boll worms, particularly pink boll worm attack, because of the lowering of toxin levels in its seed. Bt cotton, the cultivation of which started in Sindh with smuggled seeds during 2001/2002, was resistant to boll worms particularly pink boll worm attack. This very merit created a hype amongst the growers that resulted in the fast spread of Bt cotton cultivation in both Sindh and Punjab. Within 5 years almost 90 per cent acreage of conventional cotton was replaced with Bt cotton variety. But unfortunately with the passage of time, and due to the lowering levels of toxins in the seeds, Bt cotton is no more resistant to pink boll worm in particular. Unfortunately, Bt cotton developed by our research institutes in the country, with the help of China, is not up to the mark, making it susceptible to attack.
Within five years, almost 90 per cent acreage of conventional cotton was replaced with Bt cotton. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, and due to the lowering levels of toxins in the seeds, Bt cotton is no longer resistant to pink bollworm
Last year cotton crop was not sown late, but due to its late fruiting, the 2nd and 3rd pickings came under severe pink boll worm attack. In district Sanghar, pink boll worm infestation spread to almost 90% of cotton bolls, which was disastrous for the cotton growers. Reason of this pink worm disaster was not late sowing, but the unusually high temperature during August that caused shedding of squares, flowers and young cotton bolls, a factor related to climate change.
Unfortunately, this year, the vast acreage of standing cotton crop has been late sown, thus vulnerable to pink boll worm attack. Here are some suggestions to improve the situation in the future. First, since chemical control of pink boll worm (Pectinophora sp.) is very costly and environmentally unsafe, it is suggested that the government should announce a subsidy on pheromones that are environmentally safe and give good control of pink boll worm. Second, the agriculture ministry of Sindh should persuade growers, using local print and electronic media, for the cultivation of sesame (til) crop on acreage, where cotton crop could not be cultivated due to shortage of water in April-May. Third, good quality sesame seeds, both hybrid and non-hybrid, must be ensured in the local market.
The writer is a former Entomologist at the Department of Plant Protection, Govt. of Pakistan. He can be contacted at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, July 3rd 2018.