Pest outbreak worries paddy farmers about yield

ULIPUR, KURIGRAM, Oct 20: The outbreak of pests in Aman paddy fields in Ulipur Upazila of Kurigram has begun to damage paddy fields in various areas of the upazila. 

Farmers are worried about the yield as they are not getting the desired results even after applying various pesticides in the fields. In some places, the leaves of paddy plants have turned yellow and dried up, leaving farmers anxious about Aman paddy production.

A recent visit to Aman fields in different areas of the upazila revealed that the stems and leaf sheaths of affected paddy plants have developed a cotton or wax-like coating. Underneath, due to the attack of small chhatra insects, the leaves of affected plants first turn yellow and then dry up with a scorched appearance. In some fields, large portions of paddy plants have turned yellow. This is hampering the normal growth of the plants.

Talking to farmers, it was learnt that in previous years, such pest attacks on Aman paddy were not seen much in the area. However, in the current season, their presence has increased in fields in various areas. Many farmers are not getting benefits even after applying pesticides in affected fields. As a result, along with increased costs, there is also a risk of reduced yield.

According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, this year a target of cultivating Aman paddy on 24,660 hectares of land has been set in Ulipur. Of this, paddy has been planted on 1,570 hectares of hybrid varieties, 21,875 hectares of high-yielding varieties (Ufshi) and 1,215 hectares of local varieties.
Similar attacks have also been seen on 20 decimals of land of farmer Lal Mia of Kashiyagari Village in Dhamsreni Union of the upazila and 25 decimals of land of farmer Majid Mia of Satkurapar Village in Dharanibari Union.

Farmer Akbar Ali of Khaonar Darga area of that union said, this time I have planted Aman paddy on one acre and 75 decimals of land. Of this, chhatra insects have attacked about 40 decimals of land. I have applied many medicines, but they have not worked much. This time the situation is such that I may have to resort to tupuro.

Farmer Hafizur Rahman of Narikelbari Village in Ulipur municipality said that pest attacks have been seen in his field as well as in the paddy fields of many farmers in the area. However, he has not yet applied any pesticide. He said it is not possible to determine the extent of damage without monitoring the entire field.

In the same village, about half of the paddy on 40 decimals of land of farmer Sirajul Islam is turning yellow and drying up. He said, I have bought various medicines from the market and sprayed them. But I am not getting any benefit. If this continues, the paddy yield will decrease. I am very worried about this.

The paddy on about 25 decimals of land of farmer Abdur Rahman of Gabertala area in Gunaigachh Union has also been damaged by the pest attack. He said that even after applying various pesticides, no satisfactory result has been achieved. The affected paddy plants look as if they are drying up and burning.

Local pesticide seller Kaiyum Sarkar of Ulipur said he has been in this business for about 20 years. He had not seen such pest attacks in Aman paddy fields before. Although the pest was seen on one or two plants last year, there was no major damage. But this time, the presence of the pest has increased in fields in various areas.

Upazila Assistant Agriculture Officer Masud Rana said that chhatra insect is not a disease; it is a harmful insect that sucks the sap of paddy plants. Its attack hampers the normal growth of the plant and causes the leaves to turn yellow. If the attack is severe, the plant may also dry up. He said that in previous years, such presence of the pest in Aman paddy fields was not seen much in this area.

In this regard, Upazila Agriculture Officer and Ariculturist Shahidul Islam said that due to drought and shortage of water in the fields, chhatra pest attacks may increase. Farmers are being advised to uproot and destroy affected plants, irrigate the fields and apply approved pesticides in the correct doses.