Pink bollworm infestation is influencing the cotton production in India, this year (October 2017-September 2018). Since December 2017 estimate, cotton production has been revised downwards due to crop damage in some major cotton growing States. Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India (CAI) estimated that this year’s cotton production would be 36.2 mn bales (170 Kgs each) as against its December estimate of 37.5 mn bales. Last month, CAI estimated the crop to be 36.7 mn bales. According to a key market watcher in India stated that the lower estimate was expected as the Governments of Maharashtra and Telangana advised cotton farmers to remove the plants in January to avoid furthering and spreading of pink bollworm infestation to save Rabi and subsequent Kharif crops.
