Fall Armyworm management training held in Sakhabama village

Dimapur, May 13 (EMN): The District Agriculture Office, Kohima, department of agriculture conducted training-cum-demonstration programme on management of Fall Armyworm at Sakhabama village on May 11.

The training programme was held close on the heels of Nagaland government directing all the departments to advise the district officials to take preventive measures and be prepared against the possible attack of the caterpillar on agricultural crops. It has already attacked crops in Manipur, Mizoram and some parts of Kohima.

Joint Director Bendanglila shared the history and occurrence of the pest in the world, nation, Northeast region and Nagaland during the programme, informed an update sent by Mhalevilie Thorie, agriculture inspector, district agriculture office. She also spoke on the life cycle of Fall Armyworm, how it infests crops, its severity and management techniques.

Bendanglila encouraged the farmers to take keen interest in management of the new pest which is invasive and reminded them of their duty to check the caterpillar and report immediately to the authorities for efficient and timely management. She also declared the Sakhabama as a sample village for management of the pest and for future research.

District Agriculture Officer Bodevi Shuya and Bendanglila jointly gave a demonstration on usage of organic and chemical insecticides (when mechanical and organic management is not an option) and apprised the farmers on formulation, quantity for making solution, application intervals, its impact on insects and precaution on the usage of chemicals.

Besides giving practical demonstration in the fields, organic and chemical insecticides and insecticide spraying kits were distributed to the farmers.

Village Council Chairman, Viyol Thuphrie and Farmers Friend, Keduozo Kezo thanked the department for its swift action to control the noxious pest, which is a threat to the farmers in the area.

The programme was conducted in collaboration with the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) team comprising Bendanglila, deputy director L. Nungsang Jamir and agriculture officer M. Yanger Ao from the directorate, department of agriculture.