Team scans pest infested New Tusom village
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 14 2022: After receiving reports that Petai (yongchak/stinky beans) trees in New Tusom area, Ukhrul have been affected by a pest infestation, an official team led by Horticulture and Soil Conservation additional director K Devdutta Sharma visited the affected location and began spraying pesticides to curb the infestation.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle in this regard, Devdutta informed that around 400 households in New Tusom are involved in farming Petai.

The department received a report that the Petai trees have been affected by pests, following which a team led by the district horticulture office of Ukhrul district went to the village and took stock of the infestation.

A report of the same was submitted, after which a team of department experts visited the village.

The director informed that the insect infesting the Petai trees in New Tusom has been identified as Pericyma species (semilooper).

This insect had previously caused massive damages in Willong, Senapati district.

During Sunday's visit, battery-operated sprayer pumps and pesticides were handed over to the village headman and chairman, and explained on how much quantity of the pesticides should be sprayed, he added.

Urging the villagers to inform the department if other areas of the village with Petai trees are also infested, Devdutta further urged other districts to contact the department if any such infestation is detected on Petai trees or other horticulture crops.

New Tusom Village chairman Grace M Vashum stated that Petai farming is the major occupation of the people living in the border village, with each household cultivating over 100 Petai trees.

The village earns over Rs 1 crore in one season just on selling Petai.

However, insect infestations have been witnessed since last year, leaving many of the trees unable to flower.

As such, the recent infestation has raised concern if the harvest could be possible.

The village had already suffered a lot last year due to deaths of many buffaloes.

Thus, he appreciated the prompt action taken by the department officials for handling the infestation.

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