MIRPURKHAS, July 22: Cotton growers have sustained heavy losses due to attack of Mealy Bug on the cash crop in different talukas of the district.

Cotton growers including Mohammad Moosa Maher, Ismail Soomro and Aijaz Panhwer said that as a result of Mealy Bug disease, cotton crop in different parts of taluka Sindhri, Mirpurkhas, Digri and Jhuddo had been damaged.

They added that growers used pesticide to eliminate germs of Mealy Bug disease. They said it was a highly dangerous disease for the crop.

When contacted, EDO Agriculture Mirpurkhas, Ghulamullah Jarwar, said that the department initiated awareness programmes for the growers explaining the reasons causing Mealy Bug attacks as well as precautionary measures.

He claimed that Mealy Bug disease was in control and field officials of agriculture department were advising the growers regarding proper use of pesticides. Mr Jarwar predicted a bumper cotton crop in the district.