The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is the regulatory agency for eradicating the Boll Weevil in Arkansas. Assessments and penalties are collected by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to fund the cost of this program. The Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Program (ABWEP) handles the field duties for eradicating the Boll Weevil.

The state has been divided into six zones: Southwest, Southeast, Central, Northeast Ridge, and Northeast Delta Zones. All zones except the Northeast Delta Zone entered the program through a referendum. The Northeast Delta Zone was forced into the program to protect the other zones' interests and complete the eradication effort.

The program started in 1997 in the Southwest Zone and, to date, has functionally eradicated the Boll Weevil in Arkansas.

The 2024 growing season assessment will be $3/acre statewide. The deadline to confirm your cotton acreage will be June 30, 2024. Invoices will be hand delivered or e-mailed upon verification of acreage and will be due on August 15, 2024. 

If you are growing cotton in 2024 and have not communicated with the ABWEP, you must contact Regina Coleman at 870-692-6368.

More information can be obtained on the Arkansas Boll Weevil Eradication Program website: www.abwep.org.