Leaf folder bug attack on paddy worries farmers

The attack is seen more in areas that have seen less rains as heavy rains sweep away the insect that clings on to the folds of leaves,hampering the plant’s growth — which is how leaf folder has got its name. “The bug is spreading fast. Even if the inspect falls or dies,it leaves a white lining on the leaves. We do not know how to tackle the menace,” says Harjit Singh,a farmer at Jheeta village near Amritsar.

“Farmers should not panic,and avoid insecticides and chemicals,which will do more harm than good,” said Agriculture Development Officer Dr Amrik Singh during a training programme for farmers,organised by the agriculture department in collaboration with Tata Trust,Mumbai,at Fatehgarh Churian in Gurdaspur district,recently. He said the department would hold 60 more training camps for farmers.

Basmati Advisor to Punjab Government Dr G S Deol said insecticides and chemicals should be used in extreme conditions only and there were other ways to get rid of the bug attack.

Agriculture Development Officer Gurdeep Singh said the white line left by the insect made no harm to the plant. “Once the insect falls,it dies in no time. If the bug is highly widespread,only then insecticide Chlorpyrifos should be used.”

According to records,of the total cultivable 2.23 lakh hectares in Amritsar district,1.85 lakh hectares are under paddy,with Basmati cultivated in over 50 per cent of this area.