An attack of pink bollworms coupled with erratic rainfall, especially unseasonal rains, has had a serious adverse impact on cotton yields in Gujarat. With an estimated 25 to 30 per cent drop, cotton yield in the state is expected to reach the lowest level in the last 10 years.

Gujarat is estimated to produce 101 lakh bales of cotton in 2015-16. But there are fears that could tank to 90 lakh bales as arrivals in the markets continue to be low. Gujarat is India’s largest cotton producer. It is likely to witness a cotton yield of 621 kg per hectare, the lowest since 2004-05. Maharashtra is the second largest producer.

Spurious Bt cotton seeds have also contributed to lowering of yields. Saurashtra, one of the major cotton growing regions in the state, was badly hit by the invasion of pink bollworms. Cotton acreage in Saurashtra is around 18.5 lakh hectares, out Gujarat's total 27.58 lakh hectares under cotton.

There are warnings the pink bollworm menace will aggravate next year if necessary steps are not taken right away. Moist weather and heavy rainfall at the time of boll-opening and picking are detrimental to cotton as the plant becomes vulnerable to pests and diseases.