Dryland cotton planting ends in Tocantins

The dryland cotton planting window ends today (15), and the cotton off-season period begins, which runs until March 15. The Agricultural Defense Agency (Adapec) informs that, for both harvests, it is mandatory to register with the institution by the end of each cultivation period, as provided for in state legislation. In the last harvest, 34,41 thousand tons of cotton were produced.

According to Cleovan Barbosa, technical manager of the State Program for Controlling the Boll Weevil, rural producers should contact Adapec and register. “In the last harvest, more than 8,8 hectares of cultivated area were registered. The crop is expanding and we need to ensure sanitary conditions through prevention and pest control. This is only possible with up-to-date information that enables more effective actions,” he says.

Currently, the municipalities of Dianópolis, Campos Lindos, Tocantínia and Nova Rosalândia are the largest cotton producers in Tocantins.

REGISTRATION

To register, simply access the Adapec website (to.gov.br/adapec), download the form and submit it at one of the Adapec units. 

In Tocantins, all properties and/or areas producing cotton must be registered. The registration must be updated annually and the owner/lessee with more than one state registration must register separately.  

Cotton boll weevil

The boll weevil is the insect with the highest incidence and the greatest potential for damage to cotton crops. The pest attacks cotton crops, so its control is essential for the quality of production. 

Adapec monitors cotton growing areas to help prevent and control pests that affect the crop, such as the cotton boll weevil, a gray or brown beetle that can cause losses of up to 70% of production.