Teams formed to tackle Fall Armyworm
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 08 2019:
Following the detection of Fall Armyworm, which is reportedly damaging several crops and plants in the State including corn, special teams have been created to tackle the pest problem and officials will start spraying bio-pesticides from tomorrow.
According to an official source, the pest, which is rapidly multiplying and causing extensive damage to standing crops and plants, have been detected on maize plants at Churachandpur, Khurkhul and Kalapahar.
Reports indicating presence of the pest in other plants have come in as well, added the source.
The State Government, with a view to curb the problem, has formed three Joint Action Teams with the Agriculture Department and ICAR while officials concerned will head out to different locations of the State to spray the bio-pesticides, it stated.
Maintaining that the Agriculture Department has ample amount of bio-pesticides, it maintained that the solution will eradicate the pest before its eggs mature into full grown insects.
It went on to state that officials of the Department are staying on alert at the affected districts and the plants/crops are being examined vigilantly and necessary reports are being collected as well.
The damage is extensive and is multiplying at a high rate as the female Fall Armyworm can travel up to around 100 kilometres in a night.
The source remarked that the pest is suspected to have arrived from Mizoram while cautioning that the damage will be tenfold if the pest falls on rice crops during the farming season.
Meanwhile, the three Joint Action Teams formed under the directive of the Agriculture Director will leave for Chandel, Imphal West, Thoubal and Churachandpur tomorrow to initiate prompt remedial actions.
One team led by Joint Director (Agriculture) will visit Chandel.
Meanwhile, another team led by Pest Surveillance Officer and subject experts from ICAR will be visiting Churachandpur district.
The last team to be led by Plant Health Clinic Officer i/c, Agriculture Department will be heading to Imphal West and Thoubal districts.
The teams are comprised of experts from ICAR, College of Agriculture and Central Agriculture University, added the source.
On the other hand, staff of District Agriculture Office, Thoubal inspected another infestation of maize plantation at Kekru Yairipok while necessary reports have also been collected.