Pesticides, kits distributed to control Orange pests
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, November 07 2022: Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation distributed pesticides and plant protection equipment to orange farmers of Nungba sub-division during a field visit to plantation sites recently.

The field visit by a combined team of experts from the department, Plant Health Clinic, and officials of Tamenglong and Noney districts was made following complaints from farmers regarding the occurrence of pest and citrus diseases.

During the visit to Padan, Noney, Chumla, Nungba and Mukti Khullen villages in Nungba sub-division, the team confirmed the presence of pests like citrus stem borer, leaf miner, fruit-sucking moth and stink bugs, and citrus diseases like pink disease, sooty mould, citrus canker and lichens.

Pesticides and items distributed included rocker sprayer, plantomycin, fipronil, imidacloprid, chloropyriphos, adjuvant/sticker, copper oxy-chloride, sulphur fungicide, etc.

According to Tamenglong district Horticulture & Soil Conservation officer Chungong Pamei, an expert team visited Mukti Khullen in Nungba sub-division, Noney district following a report from farmers about the presence of pests and citrus diseases in their farms.

After proper diagnosis, the expert team confirmed 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 of precautionary measures and the Integrated Nutrient Management and provided toolkits, farm equipment, insecticides, etc.," he added.

The team will continue to closely monitor for another week after spraying the pesticides and insecticides to check for results.

The Tamenglong Orange has already been GI tagged.

Orange farmers facing any issues regarding pests or diseases can contact the department and that the department is ever ready to provide rapid response, Chungong informed.

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 & 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.

An orange farmer guiding the expert team, Joyson Kamei said: "We have been engaging in orange plantation in the village falling under 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 from the farmers to the director of Horticulture and soil testing through the Plant Health Clinic and sought expert assistance and remedial action".

While expressing that without timely control the pests and diseases could spread to other areas, the farmer thanked the state government, director, officials and team of the Plant Health Clinic and district officials for their timely intervention.

The team provided rapid action, pesticides, pumps, technical know-how to the farmers and helpers, he said, further thanking the chief minister under whose watch swift action has been taken up by the expert team to allay fears of an unproductive season and spread of pests to other plantations.

Plant Health Clinic's officer in-charge Dr Roshan Dangmei was also among the experts who conducted the field visit.

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