(a) whether 80 per cent of cotton crops has been damaged and the farmers have suffered huge losses due to the attack of bollworm in cotton crops in various districts of Maharashtra including Ahmednagar and Yavatmal districts and if so, the details thereof along with the relief provided to the cotton growers who have suffered losses; and
(b) the steps taken by the Union and State Governments to protect the cotton crops from bollworm?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) & (b): As per the information received from the Agriculture Department of the Maharashtra State, outbreak of Pink Boll Worm has been reported on about 34 Lakh ha. from 21 major cotton growing districts. Timely advisories are being issued by the Ministry to the State Government disseminating, inter alia management strategies to curb the spread of pink boll worm. In addition, awareness and training programs have been organized to sensitize famers about pink boll worm. The State Agriculture Department is imparting training to the farmers to adopt preventive measures for control of Pink Boll Worm through their extension functionaries. In addition, Agriculture Department of the Maharashtra State has informed that a memorandum has been submitted under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for cotton crop affected by pink boll worm and also action has been initiated against seed companies for compensation under provision of Maharashtra Cotton Seed Act, 2009.
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