Bhawanipatna: Farmers in the district are setting their paddy crops on fire to prevent brown planthopper (BPH) from spreading.
Crops in thousands of acres are wilting on account of the pest menace which has acquired alarming proportions, according to farmers.
The agriculture department and the local administration are yet to initiate remedial measures, they alleged. The department began an awareness campaign for farmers on dealing with the pest attack Saturday.
According to the Insect Pest and Disease Pest Incidence Assessment Report of the department, pest attack and diseases have severely hit paddy crops in 30,000 hectares (ha). Of this, pest affected area is 12,000 ha and plant diseases have hit crops in 18,000 ha. The BPH and white backed planthopper (WBPH) have infested 7,467 ha, as per the report. However, the farmers said the affected area will be much more than the department’s assessment.
Currently, short duration paddy is in harvesting stage, while the medium variety is in milking to soft dough stage and long duration paddy is in milking stage. Agriculture experts said the BPH affects the crops when there is an increase in moisture and temperature above 34° C. Variation in day and night temperatures is conducive for the growth and spread of the pests.
Pestered by pests
Pest attack and diseases have severely hit paddy in 30,000 ha. Of this, pest affected area is 12,000 ha and plant diseases have hit crops in 18,000 ha. The BPH and white backed planthopper (WBPH) have infested 7,467 ha.
In the wake of cyclonic storm Titli, warm and humid conditions in Kalahandi have led to the pest growth. Besides, variation in day and night temperatures is conducive for the growth and spread of the pests.
The agriculture department and the local administration are yet to initiate remedial measures, farmers allege. To make matters worse, only a part of the required pesticides has reached the district.
Now, the day temperature is between 33°C and 35° C, whereas the night temperature hovers between 15° and 16°C. After cyclonic storm Titli, warm and humid conditions in Kalahandi have led to the pest growth.
To make matters worse, only a part of the required pesticides has reached the district. While some farmers are running from pillar to post to get the pesticides, others are purchasing them from private traders. Pesticide manufacturers supply plant protection chemicals, bio-pesticides and herbicides to Suravi outlets that are opened by the Odisha Agro Industries Corporation. In Kalahandi, Suravi outlets are functional in only three out of 13 blocks. The corporation is selling subsidised plant protection chemicals through its block level sale centres, but farmers find it difficult to go there.
Deputy director of agriculture, Prahalad Sahu, said in many areas pest attack has assumed alarming proportions and immediate measures have to be taken to stop their spread. He said the directorate of agriculture has been asked to supply 6,395 kg of plant protection chemical Tapuz and it has so far provided 4,470 kg that are being provided to farmers through the corporation’s sales centres.
PNN