Pesticides, equipment distributed to counter pests in orange farms
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, November 07 2022:
The Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation distributed pesticides and plant protection equipment to orange farmers in Nungba during a field visit to orange farms recently.
A combined team of experts from the department, Plant Health Clinic, officials of Tamenglong and Noney districts made the field visit following complaints from farmers regarding occurrence of pest and citrus diseases.
During the visit to the villages of Padan, Noney, Chumla, Nungba and Mukti Khullen in Nungba sub-division, the combined team confirmed the presence of pest like Citrus Stem Borer, Leaf Miner, Fruit Sucking Moth and Stink Bugs and citrus diseases like Pink Disease of Citrus, Sooty Mould, Citrus Canker and Lichens.
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Pesticides and items distributed include rocker sprayer, plantomycin, fipro-nil, imidacloprid, chlo- ropyriphos, Adjuvant/Sticker, Copper Oxy-Chloride, Sulphur Fungicide, etc.
Tamenglong District Officer, Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Chungong Pamei said an expert team visited Mukti Khullen in Nungba sub-division, Noney district following a report from farmers on the presence of pest and citrus diseases in their farms.
After proper diagnosis, the expert team found the presence of pest and citrus diseases and conducted demonstrations for the farmers and their workers on use of pesticides to control the pests and diseases.
"We also educated the farmers on precautionary measures and the integrated nutrient management and provided toolkits, farm equipment, insecticides etc", he added.
He stated that the team would continue to closely monitor the situation for another week after spraying the pesticides and insecticides to check for results.
Further adding that the Tamenglong Orange has already been GI tagged, he said that orange farmers facing any issues regarding pest or diseases can contact the department and that the department is ever ready to provide rapid response.
During the inspection, the team visited three villages where there are about 3000 orange trees, he said, adding that production this year would not be less than 30 metric tons.
He also said that orange plantation will help in improving the economy and livelihood of the farmers and that the department will provide all possible assistance to the farmers.
Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department is promoting the Tamenglong Orange which has already been granted Geographical Indication, he said, adding that under the Chief Minister and the Horticulture Minister, the department is also implementing Citrus Rejuvenation and Area Expansion and that anyone interested may come to the department.
Joyson Kamei, an orange farmer guiding the expert team said that they have been engaged in orange plantation at Nungba in Noney District since 2015-16 .
"Since the beginning of this year, we witnessed certain issues including pest attacks and citrus diseases and so we submitted a report to the Director of Horticulture through the Plant Health Clinic and sought expert assistance and remedial action," he said.
Expressing concern that without timely control the pest and disease could spread to other areas and may severely affect orange production this season, the farmer also thanked the State Government, the Director, officials and teams of the Plant Health Clinic and district officials for their timely intervention.
The team has provided pesticides, pumps and technical know-how to the farmers and helpers, he said further thanking the Chief Minister under whose watch swift action was taken up by the expert team to allay fears of an unproductive season and spread of pest and disease to other plantations.
Plant Health Clinic Officer in-charge Dr Roshan Dangmei was also among the experts who conducted the field visit and educated the orange growers.