Mudigere MLA B B Ningaiah has urged the Central and State governments to provide compensation for the loss of paddy crops due to the infestation of armyworms.
Acres of paddy fields in the district have been infested with armyworms. Both the governments should seek a report on the loss of crops and distribute compensation for the farmers, said Ningaiah.
He said that on an average paddy is cultivated on 11,000-hectare land in Mudigere taluk. Owing to deficit rainfall, the paddy was cultivated on a 7500-hectare area. The armyworms have affected over 2,500-hectare paddy fields. The paddy growers are in distress with the loss of standing crops.
"The Giant African Snails have already devastated the coffee in the district. The snails have affected 1500 acre coffee plantations in Mudigere taluk alone. The snails damage the coffee and pepper vines. The Coffee Board should organise awareness programme to check Giant African Snails," said the MLA.
JD(S) state Vice President H H Devaraj said that the shopkeepers are misguiding the farmers on control of diseases affecting the crops.
He said the Zilla Panchayat President, the Standing Committee on Agriculture President and the Agriculture Department Joint Director should visit the farmers land to gauge the reality.
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