Sportking India Partners with ATGC Biotech to Combat Cotton Pest Crisis
Sportking India, a prominent textile company, has teamed up with ATGC Biotech, Reviving Green Revolution Cell, and Team Athena Pvt. Ltd. to launch a pioneering initiative, ‘San-Vardhan’ (Cotton You Can Trust), aimed at addressing the severe Pink Bollworm (PBW) infestation impacting cotton crops in Northern India.
Cotton, a crucial commercial crop in India, represents approximately 23% of global production. However, the recent PBW attacks have led to substantial crop damage, pushing farmers to consider switching to alternative crops and exacerbating the strain on water resources.
In response, the ‘San-Vardhan’ initiative introduces the CREMIT (Controlled Release Enhanced Mating Interruption Technology), developed by ATGC Biotech. This innovative technology employs ‘Insect Family Planning’ to control PBW populations in an environmentally friendly manner, reducing reliance on traditional insecticides and minimizing soil and crop contamination.
The initiative encompasses a comprehensive approach, integrating agronomy practices, nutrient management, and produce traceability. Currently, the project is active across 2,000 acres in three districts of Punjab and Haryana, with over 500 cotton farmers receiving training in Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). The efficacy of the CREMIT technology is validated by research from several esteemed institutions, including Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)-Ludhiana, CICR-Nagpur, JAU-Gujarat, ANGRAU-Guntur, and MPCKV-Rahuri.
Munish Avasthi, Managing Director of Sportking India Limited, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “The decline in cotton production is a significant setback for smallholder farmers, ginners, yarn manufacturers, and the entire value chain. PBW poses a serious threat to cotton farming, impacting income and livelihoods. We are proud to support the CSR project ‘San-Vardhan’ with CREMIT technology to tackle the PBW issue and aid North Indian cotton farmers”.
Dr. Baljinder Saini, Executive Director of Reviving Green Revolution Cell, the project’s implementing partner, added, “It’s encouraging to see the textile industry actively supporting cotton farmers. We hope this initiative inspires similar efforts in other cotton-growing regions of Central and South India”.
