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Farmers in Wokha watch a demonstration about measures to employ against the pest Fall armyworm.[/caption]
Dimapur, May 22 (EMN): The government's agriculture units and agencies across Nagaland are on battle mode against the Fall armyworm. The pest is said to be affecting mango, banana, maize and rice. Reports from Phek and Wokha offered updates about the measures farmers are learning to combat the pest.
The agriculture technology management agency (Atma) of Wokha conducted a workshop, on May 18 at Longsa village. The event educated the participants on how to manage the fall armyworm on maize.
A press release from the Atma of the district to the media on Wednesday informed about the event. The 'infestation' is stated to be on a large scale in the entire Northeast India. Farmers were asked to take measures.
The technical session of the workshop was conducted by Dr. Tiatula Jamir, during which details about the life cycle of the fall armyworm; how to identify the pest; stages of the worm and which part of crops it attacks etc., was thoroughly discussed, the press release stated.
The resource person informed that the larval stage of the Fall armyworm was the most destructive stage: the pest vigorously feeds on the leaves of the crops which then results in the death of the crop.
For the management of the insect, Jamir said, neem seed kernel extracts or nembicidine (Azadirachtin) may be applied during the initial stage of infestation.
The second session of the programme was followed an interaction with farmers who received inputs from Dr. N Khumdemo Ezung, and Dr. Jamir, the press release stated.
[caption id="attachment_250468" align="alignright" width="300"]
A farmer sprays neem oil on maize plants as a precautionary measure, in Phek. The Chakhesang Women Welfare Society is assisting 'plant protection training' programmes in Phek, updates stated on Wednesday. Besides, the group is distributing "protection inputs" such as neem oil and sprayers. There are a good number of reports that the Fall armyworm is damaging crops in some regions in Nagaland.[/caption]
'During the interaction programme, the participating farmers raised queries about the pest that has been occurring in mango, banana, maize and rice where the expert provided the control measures to be adopted organically,' the press release stated.
'Queries on the usage of the insecticides were also raised. The farmers were advised to use protective gear while spraying the deterrents and also to take note of the wind direction to avoid drift effect.
"It was also advised to harvest the crop for consumption only after 15 days of spraying since the efficacy of the insecticides remains till 15 days," the press release stated.
During the third session of the event, a programme to demonstrate the use of insecticides and how to engage spraying techniques was also conducted in the fields. The participants were taught how to engage sprayer measurements of the correct dose. Marking the programme, inputs such as neem seed kernel extracts, Metagreen an entomo-pathogen and Emamectin benzoate were distributed to all the participants, the press release stated.
Three pneumatic sprayers were also handed over to 'farmers’ friends.' The press release stated that the participants were advised to use the equipments "on need based."
Further, they were told to maintain proper registers on the utilization of the equipment, which will be inspected by Atma officials regularly.
Around 42 farmers participated in the programme, the updates.