New Delhi, May 8 (IANS). Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has constituted a special task force to investigate the damage caused to litchi crop in Bihar and take measures to provide relief to the farmers. This task force will submit its report in a week. This information was given in a statement issued on Friday.
In an interactive program organized at the Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow on Thursday, farmers informed the Union Minister about the extensive damage being caused to litchi crops due to pests.
The statement said members of the task force will visit the affected areas and submit a report including recommendations for corrective measures.
According to an order issued on May 7 by the Muzaffarpur-based National Litchi Research Centre, the task force will assess the current situation related to the litchi pest and visit the affected areas. It will also conduct a scientific study of crop losses and suggest immediate and long-term measures to provide relief to the farmers.
The task force will also recommend necessary advisories and extension activities for farmers as well as suggest necessary interventions at the state and central levels.
According to the order, a special task force has been formed consisting of scientists, officers and experts from various institutions. The director of the National Litchi Research Center, Muzaffarpur has been appointed chairman of the panel.
As per the order, the task force will soon visit the most affected blocks of litchi producing districts of Bihar and submit its report to the Agriculture Minister within a week so that necessary action can be taken on time.
Members of the task force include a representative nominated by the Director of Horticulture-cum-Bihar State Horticulture Mission, a representative nominated by the Director of Plant Protection, Bihar Agriculture Department, a representative nominated by the Entomologist of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, a representative nominated by the Principal Scientist (Entomology) of Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur and a representative nominated by the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission.
The panel also includes Dr. Jaipal Singh Choudhary, Scientist, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region and Agricultural Systems Research Center for Hill and Plateau Region, Ranchi, Dr. M. Sampath Kumar, National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru and Dr. Ipsita Samal, Scientist (Entomology), ICAR-National Litchi Research Centre, Muzaffarpur. and Dr. Vinod Kumar, Principal Scientist (Entomology), who will act as Member Secretary of the Task Force.
–IANS
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