India, July 19 -- Bathinda

After nearly a month of dry weather, recent rainfall across southwest Punjab has brought relief to cotton farmers, raising hopes for a better kharif season.

The showers have helped reduce the risk of whitefly infestation, a major pest concern for the crop, but experts warn that vigilance is needed against the looming threat of the pink bollworm.

Pink bollworm is a pest of the cotton crop, particularly in Punjab, causing yield losses. In Punjab, pink bollworm infestations have led to significant economic losses for farmers, even impacting Bt cotton, a genetically modified variety designed to be pest-resistant.

Teams from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and krishi vigyan kendras (KVKs) are actively inspec...