Guard against pests8217;ome

VADODARA, SEPT 14: Scientists at the Integrated Pest Management Centre, headquatered at Vadodara, have cautioned the State farmers to take steps to check pests and plant diseases, which might damage the young crops, especially, of ground nut, cotton and paddy.

In its recent report sent to the State agriculture department, the centre specifically cautioned the department to hold training sessions to educate the farmers on ways to reduce the menace caused by pests and diseases, although poor rains had also indirectly helped in solving a part of the problem. According to the Centre officials, who recently surveyed the Saurashtra region 8212; which grows groundnuts in more than 18 lakh hectares 8212; though lack of water and moisture could reduce the population of pests.