Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program 2025-28
Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program is the backbone of its economy, but pests and crop diseases often cause heavy losses to farmers. To address this issue, the Punjab Government has launched the Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program 2025-28.
This program focuses on early pest detection, monitoring, and safe pesticide use to protect crops, improve yields, and ensure food safety.
Introduction to Punjab Pest Surveillance Program 2025-28:
Pests like whiteflies, bollworms, aphids, and locusts damage millions of acres of crops in Punjab every year. Overuse and misuse of pesticides not only increase costs for farmers but also harm soil, water, and human health.
The Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program 2025-28 is designed to:
- Detect pests early through surveillance.
- Provide quick alerts and solutions to farmers.
- Promote safe and balanced pesticide use.
- Protect crops and farmer incomes.
Key Objectives of the Program:
- Early Pest Detection – Monitor fields regularly to catch pests early.
- Farmer Alerts – Send timely warnings about pest attacks.
- Safe Pesticide Use – Reduce harmful chemical sprays.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – Encourage biological and eco-friendly methods.
- Crop Protection – Minimize crop losses during 2025-28.
Punjab Pest Surveillance Network:
The Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program is setting up a surveillance network across Punjab:
- Field Scouts & Agriculture Officers – Regularly visit farms to check pest levels.
- Pheromone Traps & Sensors – Used to detect pests scientifically.
- Farmer Reporting System – Farmers can inform officials if they see pest attacks.
- Digital Dashboards – Collect real-time pest data for analysis.
Pesticide Control under the Program:
Pesticides are necessary but must be used carefully. The program focuses on:
- Promoting safe pesticides approved by agriculture experts.
- Training farmers on correct dosage and timing.
- Reducing the use of banned and harmful chemicals.
- Encouraging biological control agents as alternatives.
Read Also: Pothohar Agriculture Transformation Project
Crops Covered in the Program:
The scheme covers all major crops in Punjab, especially those most affected by pests:
- Cotton – Protection from bollworms and whiteflies.
- Wheat – Control of rust, aphids, and armyworms.
- Rice/Paddy – Protection from stem borers and leaf folders.
- Sugarcane – Control of pyrilla and borers.
- Vegetables & Fruits – Protection against fruit borers, thrips, and mites.
Benefits of Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program:
- Reduced Crop Losses – Timely control saves 20–30% of crops.
- Lower Costs – Farmers spend less on unnecessary sprays.
- Safe Food Production – Less chemical residue in food.
- Health Benefits – Reduced exposure to toxic pesticides.
- Sustainable Farming – Encourages eco-friendly pest management.
Farmer Training and Awareness:
To make the program successful, the government is conducting:
- Village-level workshops on pest identification.
- Demonstrations on safe pesticide spraying.
- Pamphlets, SMS, and Apps to guide farmers.
- Awareness campaigns on IPM methods.
Read More: Punjab Digital Agriculture Information Project 2025
Implementation Timeline (2025-28):
- 2025: Setup of pest surveillance network and farmer registration.
- 2026: Training programs and introduction of digital dashboards.
- 2027: Expansion of IPM and biological control methods.
- 2028: Review, improvements, and scaling up for future.
Role of Farmers in the Program:
Farmers are the key stakeholders. They need to:
- Cooperate with surveillance teams.
- Report unusual pest attacks quickly.
- Follow pesticide guidelines carefully.
- Adopt modern techniques like pheromone traps and bio-pesticides.
Read Also: Punjab Clean Air Program 2025
FAQs – Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program 2025-28:
Q1. What is the Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program?
It is a government scheme to detect pests early, guide farmers, and promote safe pesticide use from 2025 to 2028.
Q2. Which crops are covered under the program?
Cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits.
Q3. How will farmers get alerts?
Through field visits, SMS, apps, and announcements by agriculture officers.
Q4. Will pesticides be banned under the program?
Only harmful and unapproved pesticides will be restricted. Safe alternatives will be promoted.
Q5. What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
A method that uses biological control, cultural practices, and safe pesticides together for effective pest control.
Q6. How does pest surveillance help farmers?
It allows early detection of pests, which means quicker action and less crop damage.
Q7. Who can benefit from the program?
All farmers in Punjab, especially those growing cotton, wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
Final Thoughts:
The Punjab Pest Surveillance & Pesticide Control Program 2025-28 is a timely initiative to protect Punjab’s agriculture. By combining scientific surveillance, safe pesticide use, and farmer awareness, the program will reduce crop losses, save costs, and promote sustainable farming.
This scheme ensures that farmers are better prepared to face pest challenges, leading to healthier crops, safer food, and a stronger agricultural economy for Punjab.
