Diglipur, March 18: With the initiation of dry spell and low humidity, which acts as favorable conditions for infestation of pest, the Department of Agriculture, Diglipur has taken initiative by conducting field visits and creating awareness programmes for farmers about the prophylactic and the possible control measures to be adopted like spraying of neem insecticides and installing yellow sticky traps @ 15 nos. per hectare. Farmers have been advised to conduct continuous monitoring of their field on pest and also natural enemies.
Though on a very small level, Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (RSW) infestation is observed in few pockets at Khudirampur village and Kalighat village, taking note of the situation and the favorable climatic condition, the Department of Agriculture, Diglipur, has promptly fast tracked its field-level visits and initiated the control measures to curb the spread of Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (RSW), a pest known to affect Coconut palms, Arecanut and Banana crops.
As part of an Integrated Pest Management strategy, Azadirachtin 0.3% EC was sprayed on coconut and arecanut yesterday in the fields of Shri Ram Uraon, S/o Shri Nishu Uraon and Shri Purna Kerketta, S/o Shri Mangra Uraon of Kalighat village, Ward No. 4 in the presence of the Assistant Director (Agriculture), Agriculture Extension Staff, Shri Anusudan Mistry, Farmers' Friend. Awareness among the 10 local nearby farmers was also created.
Similar, spraying was also carried on 12th March in the field of Shri Mukesh Kumar Roy, S/o Manoranjan Roy of Khudirampur village, Ward No. 2, in the presence of Shri Madhusudan Dutta, Farmers' Friend, Smt. Kalyani Bairagi, PRI Member and 15 local nearby farmers.
The Department of Agriculture remains dedicated for supporting farmers through awareness campaigns and training programs, ensuring effective pest management, minimizing crop losses and enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability.
This initiative is a part of a coordinated effort involving Agricultural Extension staff and PRI members to manage the pest before its spread intensifies. Farmers have been urged to cooperate with the Agriculture teams and report any signs of infestation to the nearest Agriculture Sub Depot (I/C), Agriculture Extension Functionaries, PRIs, Zonal Officer or call the Kisan Call Centre at 03192-243434 or 1800-345-1145 on all working days.