Pest attack ravages paddy crop in Tedha, farmers demand relief
Khodkida, karpa and other pests have hit paddy fields in Tedha, Gondia district, prompting a call for compensation and free pesticide support.
The paddy crop in the Tedha area of Gondia district has been badly hit by weather-related disease. Constant changes in the atmosphere and humid conditions over the past few days have caused several diseases and pest infestations in the paddy fields here. Just as the crop was in its most sensitive growth and reproductive stage, khodkida, karpa, mavaa and tudtudya pests attacked together. Farmers are deeply worried as they watch their almost-ready crop being ruined.
Because the weather is favourable to them, these diseases are spreading very fast. The khodkida infestation is causing paddy plants to dry up and turn white and red. In addition, the sap-sucking mavaa and tudtudya pests are making the plants turn yellow and wilt. To save the crop, farmers borrowed money to spray expensive pesticides, but the disease is still not under control even after that. As a result, the farmers' heavy spending has also gone to waste. This has left farmers trapped in a double financial crisis.
Seeing this serious situation, former Gondia Zilla Parishad member Khumendra Mendhe has made a strong demand before the administration. He said the paddy crop is in complete crisis and farmers have already suffered heavy losses. He has demanded that the agriculture department and revenue administration jointly visit the fields without delay and properly conduct a panchnama of the affected crops. According to Mendhe, given the condition of the crops, affected farmers should immediately be announced financial assistance of Rs 25,000 per hectare.
He also said that agriculture officers should not merely draw up plans on paper, but should themselves visit the fields and provide farmers with free pesticide sprays and proper technical advice. With the crop at risk of being lost right in the middle of the season due to the weather, farmers are extremely worried. The entire area is now watching how seriously the government and administration take up this matter, and when relief reaches the farmers.
