In Sangrur, pest attack damages wheat crop over 2,500 acres
Date:12-12-2019
The attack of armyworms and pink stem borer in Sangrur district has affected the wheat crop spread over 2,500 acres here. Farmers claim that the sowing of wheat without burning of paddy stubble has caused the disease, even as agricultural experts are organising special meetings to spread awareness about preventive measures and some farmers have started ploughing their crops.
“Armyworm and pink stem borer have destroyed my wheat crop. It has caused massive losses and government authorities should release special compensation,” said Hardeep Singh, a farmer from Shadihari village.
Farmers from various village said their crops had come under attack, but all blamed the state government for compelling them to sow wheat without burning stubble. Some claimed that the damage to their crop was likely to further increase their debt as they had no other source of income.
“We were aware that farmers will face such problems if they sow wheat without burning stubble. The state government and officials are maintaining silence on the issue. This will further complicate things for already indebted farmers of Punjab,” said Dharminder Pashore, BKU Ugrahan leader from the Lehra block.
Though officials of the Agriculture Department claimed things were under control, they confirmed, on the condition of anonymity, that the pests had attacked more areas where wheat was sown without burning of stubble. “In the fields of farmers, who have not burnt stubble and used happy seeder, a layer of stubble had been formed and it gave required temperature and humidity for the growth of the worms,” said an official.
Sangrur Chief Agriculture Officer Jaswinderpal Singh Grewal said the department’s teams were visiting various villages to spread awareness about the infestation. “To prevent damage, spray of Ekalux 25 EC (quinalphos) should be done. For better results, spraying should be done after the sunset when the larvae of worms are more active,” said Grewal.
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