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Dimapur, May 9 (EMN): Following reports on the outbreak of Fall Army Worm (FAW), a triangulate team comprising of the district agriculture office, KVK and ATMA, Mokokchung, are fighting the infestation on war footing to contain from spreading to other area.
A DIPR report stated that a team comprising of officials from the district agriculture office, KVK and ATMA, Mokokchung, are ceaselessly working to contain the spread by visiting and monitoring fields in different villages in the district.
The report also stated that field functionaries were well prepared and remaining constant vigilance by monitoring farmers’ fields in case of any possible emergence of FAW infestation in the fields.
The report also stated that consequent upon the information received from the Farmers’ Friends (FF) from different villages, the DAO-KVK-ATMA team has been undertaking pest surveillance and monitoring round-ups in the entire FAW incidence reported villages.
Report also stated that the team had ascertained the nature of damage, life stage of the pest and level of damage during the field monitoring visits before recommending any remedial solutions. Accordingly, prophylactic and management measures were recommended including various mechanical, cultural and chemical approaches.
According to the report, the pest was found to be at the larval stage feeding pre-dominantly on the inner whorls of the young maize plants of knee-high or shorter leading to almost 80-90 % destruction.
It stated that inputs such as Emmamectin Benzoate 5% and IPM kits were distributed to the affected maize growing farmers. Additionally, Rodenticides (Roban Cake) were also distributed to cucumber growing farmers for rodent management in cucumber fields.
So far, reports of FAW infestation has been reported from villages namely Yimchalu and Mopungchuket under Kobulong block, Khensa, Kinunger and Mangmetong under Ongpangkong south block, Ungma and Mokokchung village under Ongpangkong north block.
The area of coverage by the pest varies from village to village ranging approximately between 0.5 Ha to 5 Ha, the report stated. It further stated that research experts and extension functionaries are working to further disseminate the FAW awareness and management advisories to the farmers through various extension medium.