Workshop to protect crops from Fall Armyworm held in India

Saying that Fall Armyworm pest infestation will be recurring in the State, India Central Agricultural University, CAU, Imphal Vice Chancellor Professor M Premjit Singh has urged the authorities concerned, including scientists of CAU, to be prepared in advance to tackle the menace which affects maize and other crops.

Speaking as the chief guest during the inaugural function of workshop cum training programme on Suraksha Sankalp – Protect farmers from Fall Armyworm which was organized by CAU, Imphal under the sponsorship of Dhanuka Agritech Limited, the Vice Chancellor further said that Fall Armyworm infestation cannot be taken lightly although the problem has now been put under control in the State.

The Fall Armyworm infestation was successfully controlled after CAU scientists and other departments acted swiftly in the initial stage of the infestation.

Compatibility in the application of some pesticides and insecticides in the effort to kill Fall Armyworm in the State was a very fortunate thing and it helped put the infestation under control, he added.

However, farmers cannot solely rely on pesticides and insecticides only when the infestation recurs in the future as the said pest might get resistant to insecticides and pesticides if used repeatedly, he said.

The Vice Chancellor then opined that scientists and other authorities concerned in the State should come out with long term management plans and strategies to tackle and prevent Fall Armyworm infestation in the future.

He also suggested that adopting inter-cropping method, integrated pest management and finding other parasites or insects that can attack and kill Fall Armyworm may go a long way towards fighting the menace.

Dhanuka Agritech Limited, New Delhi Senior General Manager Ashok Mahajan who attended as the guest of honour claimed that the said company has been working together with various Central Agricultural Universities existing in various States since the past many months to combat Fall Armyworm infestation as well as to create awareness among the farmers through the help of such universities.

He also said that the company has been working together with the Government of India on various agriculture related matter under PPP model since the past many years.

CAU, Imphal Dean Dr AN Ganeshamurthy, Extension Education, CAU, Imphal Director Professor Ratan Kumar Saha and Th Dorendra Singh Panthoibi Seeds House also attended the function as guests of honour. Many resource persons spoke during the technical session which was held later on the day.