Fall armyworm attacks paddy fields

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 16 : Several paddy fields which are just days away from harvest have been attacked by fall armyworm while many other paddy fields have been infected by brown planthopper (Wahik), and it is threatening to ruin all the hard work and investment of hundreds of farmers.
Vast paddy fields in Imphal East and Imphal West districts and some in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts have been attacked by fall armyworm and brown planthopper.
A random survey carried out by The Sangai Express in areas affected by the two pests found paddy spikelets hacked to the ground. Fall armyworms were also seen on paddy leaves.
Many farmers are worried that all their labour and financial investment  may go to waste because of the invasion by the two pests at a time when most paddy fields  are just days away from harvesting.
The farmers desperately wish the department concerned and other relevant authorities to come out with a solution at the earliest.
The farmers want to know how fall armyworm and brown planthopper can be countered effectively.
Farmers have serious reservations on using pesticides for fear of health risks as the paddies are ripening and not far away from harvest.
They want to know if there is a pesticide or remedy which can protect paddy from fall armyworm and at the same time free from health risk.
One Laishram Sadananda of Top Khongnangmakhong who has been cultivating paddy at Wakha, Imphal East said that his paddy fields have come under extensive invasion of fall armyworms.
This is something unprecedented in the recent past, he said.
He said that fall armyworms are more active at night. They gnaw and destroy paddy spikelets and leaves.
The paddy fields surrounding those of Sadananda have also been extensively attacked by fall armyworms.
On the advice of some people, Laishram Sadananda has already sprayed a pesticide of the brand name “Rocket” over all his five Sangams of paddy fields to protect them from fall armyworm.
Some other farmers are using another pesticide marketed under the brand name “Commando”.
COCOMI Farmers Wing co-convenor Konthoujam Thoiba said that they have received reports of large scale invasion on paddy fields by fall armyworm and brown planthopper.      
Expressing apprehension  that infection by the pests may reduce the State’s paddy production this year, he sought immediate attention of the Agriculture Department into the issue.
He also appealed to agriculture experts and scientists to organise awareness programmes for farmers on fall armyworm and brown planthopper and their control measures.