May 23, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 17, 1429

MUZAFFARGARH, May 22: The agriculture department has failed to introduce new cotton seed varieties to farmers, it is learnt here.

Farmers are using old varieties of seeds. They are waiting for new seeds that could combat Mealy bug and Cotton Curl virus attacks.

The district has 80 cotton factories and is a part of the cotton belt, but agricultural officials are not informing farmers about types of certified and uncertified seeds.

An agricultural official requesting anonymity told this correspondent that farmers had been using same cotton seeds -- CIM 786, CIM 496, CIM 473, BH 160 and CIM 406 -- for the last five years. Last year Mealy bug attack had damaged a major chunk of cotton crop, he said.

There are some new varieties in the market – VH 142, CIM 499, N 11, BT 196, BT 106 and BT 121—which are said to be uncertified.

When contacted EDO (agriculture) Chaudhry Shehzad said: “The department has 110 field assistants who are helping farmers in cotton fields.”

He said no new seed was introduced by the research centre.

Meanwhile, sources said 110 field assistants were allegedly busy contacting pesticides companies for commission in spray season.

The EDO said he would take action against the assistants if he received any complaint.