HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Aug 19: The Agriculture Department has implemented a series of measures, including the use of drones for pesticide spraying and an awareness drive among farmers, to prevent the spread of rice hispa on rice paddy crops.
An Agriculture Department official reported that paddy fields in the Teok, Selenghat, Nakachari, and Sipahikhola agriculture circles have been affected by rice hispa. The pest scrapes the green matter from the upper portion of the leaf blade, leaving white parallel streaks and only the epidermis at the lower part of the leaf. The larvae tunnel through the leaf tissue, creating irregular translucent white patches that run parallel to the leaf veins, leading to leaf withering. Damaged leaves can wilt and fall. Department officials have visited the affected fields to assess the damage.
Measures to contain the spread include the distribution of pesticides and raising awareness about post-harvest practices to prevent future beetle attacks. Insecticide spraying using drones has been carried out in the paddy fields of the Sipahikhola agriculture circle.
For post-harvest management, farmers have been advised to conduct deep ploughing between February and April, remove weeds, implement pest control measures, burn paddy stalks, cultivate insect-resistant rice varieties, and spray neem oil insecticide. Farmers are also encouraged to create bamboo structures or place dry branches in fields to attract insect-eating birds.
While spraying insecticides, farmers should use the prescribed amounts and cover their faces. They are cautioned to remove bird perches during the spraying process.
