With the onset of dry conditions and low humidity — favourable for pest infestation — the Department of Agriculture, Diglipur, has ramped up efforts to safeguard crops by conducting field visits and raising awareness among farmers. The department is promoting prophylactic and control measures, including the application of neem-based insecticides and the installation of yellow sticky traps at a rate of 15 traps per hectare. Farmers have been advised to continuously monitor their fields for pest activity and the presence of natural predators.
Though the infestation of Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (RSW) has been detected only in a few pockets of Khudirampur and Kalighat villages, the department has taken prompt action considering the conducive climatic conditions. RSW, a pest known to affect coconut palms, arecanut, and banana crops, has the potential to spread rapidly if not managed in time.
