Fall Armyworm attack on newly sown maize crop in Rajouri

Rajouri, June 7:  Attack of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) on recently sown maize crop has been reported in upper reaches of Rajouri district.

The Department of Agriculture has constituted special survey and farmers awareness teams.

Chief Agriculture Officer Rajouri, S Sohan Singh informed that reports of attack of this pest has been reported in some areas of upper reaches of Rajouri district. He said that farmers in upper reaches have sown maize crop recently while farmers in lower reaches she sowing crop these days. Officer said that after reports of this attack by Fall Armyworm (spodoptera frugiperda), a team of experts from Agriculture department has been constituted. This team, he said, has surveyed different areas of Rehan under sub division Darhal. Chief Agriculture Officer informed that the visiting agriculture experts have urged farmers to come together in groups to spray recommended pesticides to check the spread of the invasive pest and prevent loss of yield.

He said that the department of Agriculture has also issued an advisory in favour of farmers about the steps to be taken to contain the spread of the pest attack and prevent yield loss in the infested crop.