Advisor, department of Horticulture, Mhathung Yanthan urged the department to be well prepared, pro-active, vigilant, observant and sensitive to combat Fall Army Worm (FAW) that has attacked maize plants recently in the state.
He said this while addressing the awareness campaign and training for mitigation of FAW organized by Horticulture department at Directorate of Horticulture Kohima on Saturday.
Yanthan said all the agri and allied departments must be alert in regard to FAW problem as the responsibility cannot be left to Agriculture department alone. While reminding department that they canno stay insensitive to the burning issue of FAW, he stressed that everybody must be responsible for the welfare of farmers as part of their mission.
Challenging the department officials to be alert, he said today FAW has attacked maize plant and other pests might attack other crops, vegetables and fruits leading to famine due to climatic change. In this regard, Yanthan urged the officials to create awareness and sensitize the farmers and send the report of latest happening to the department.
Principal secretary of Horticulture, M. K. Mero urged the department officials to have knowledge and tackle the problem quickly on war footing as maize is one of the stable food for the Nagas. He also informed that recently a meeting was held with the state disaster management authority on how to go about assessing the destroyed crops.
Director of Horticulture, Dr. R. Elithung Lotha in his key note address stressed on control of FAW by using more non-chemical methods. He urged the district Horticulture officers to work as task force and tie up with agriculture department.
Deputy director of Horticulture, Dr. Moa Walling in his technical demonstration session explained in detail with demonstration the two methods to control FAW like using nimbecidine (liquid chemical) to spray over maize plant and pheromone traps to trap adult male moth to control its growth.
Deputy director of Horticulture S. Senka Jamir in his vote of thanks informed this pest has brought devastation to r neighbouring states and Nagaland also. He informed that more than Rs. 18.4 crores worth of crops has already been reported damaged this year, as it was infesting over 300 plant species, with maize being the major affected one.
The programme was led by deputy director Y. Bongti Konyak, attended by district horticulture officers, department officials and others. Later, nimbecidine liquid chemical and pheromone traps were distributed to the various district officers of the state. For immediate purchase of the chemical and traps, one may contact Hills Enterprise Naga Shopping Arcade Dimapur or contact at 9436012524. An officer from the department informed this correspondent that the department would try to make available the chemical and traps to the public even in Kohima town.