The Agriculture Department has issued a crucial warning to farmers regarding three destructive insect pests currently ravaging paddy cultivation across multiple districts of the island. With approximately 22,000 hectares of paddy fields affected by the White Back Plant Hopper, Gray Plant Hopper, and Leaf Curl worm, Agriculture Director General Malathi Parasuraman stressed the urgency for farmers to be vigilant.
Parasuraman urged farmers to promptly notify Agriculture Department officials upon detecting these insects in their fields and to strictly adhere to the guidance provided by agriculture consultants.
Asserting that preventive measures can mitigate these insect damages, Parasuraman highlighted that agricultural consultants and officials across all areas have been duly notified. Furthermore, Parasuraman disclosed the deployment of specialized agriculture teams for comprehensive field inspections.
In a cautionary advisory, Parasuraman warned against the use of substandard insecticides or following recommendations from sources lacking expertise in handling these pests. Mixing insecticides with other substances was discouraged, emphasizing that ineffectual application of chemicals could prove futile due to the pests’ resistance to harmful compounds.
The Director General stressed the significance of employing only the pesticides recommended by the Agriculture Department, emphasizing the importance of strategic steps to combat these resilient pests effectively.
