Balangir, Oct 27: Farmers in all blocks of Balangir district of the district are worried as their paddy crops have been damaged by brown plant-hoppers, a pest locally known as chakada.
However, the agriculture department is not aware of the pest attack. The district chief agriculture officer said , they are yet to receive the final report regarding brown plant-hoppers menace.
According to reports, farmer Ghasiram Pradhan of Dunguripalli village under Gudvella block has cultivated paddy in 12 acres of farmland. Brown plant-hoppers attacked last week and have damaged 8 acres of paddy.
Pradhan sprayed pesticide consulting the local agriculture officer, but in-vain. He is going to bear a loss of around Ra 4 lakh due to the pest infection.
Farmers of Dunguripalli village and Tandigaon of the block have been worst infected by brown plant-hoppers.
Similary, at least 30 acres of paddy crop have been damaged in Khaprakhol block including 20 acres in Damaipalli area.
Rajkishore Meher of Damaipalli had cultivated paddy crop in 7 acres of land. Despite using pesticides, over one acre paddy crop got damaged totally. The pest infection is also reported from Padiabahal and Bhanpur panchayats of the block.
District chief agriculture officer Subash Chandra Behera said the department is yet to receive detailed report of the pest attack. The VLWs have been directed to keep a watch on grassroots level. The real damage can be ascertained after receiving the data.
