Rhodope province cotton producers at 90 per cent loss

Cotton producers in Rhodope province reported that the damage caused by green and pink bollworms has reached 90 per cent.

The infestation of green and pink bollworms in Rhodope and in particular in the area of Yassıköy Municipality has reached serious proportions.

Speaking to state radio ERT, Manolis Tabatzas, Deputy Head of the Province of Rhodope, emphasised that the population of the insects has shown a great growth from the traps placed and monitored and has seriously affected and even destroyed the cotton plants. Noting that the damage caused by the green and pink bollworm infestation is around 50 per cent in the field, Tabatzas said that the crop will reach the extent that it cannot be harvested and the damage is estimated to be around 90 per cent.

Tabatzas stressed that efforts are underway to financially support the cotton producers of Rhodope province, who will suffer great loss of income, and to compensate for their losses. Noting that they will not be able to receive European subsidies since there will be no production, Tabatzas added that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure that cotton producers do not suffer.