Special team issues advisory to farmers in Karaikal on managing paddy affected by waterlogging

A team of scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute (PAJANCOA), and agricultural extension officers has advised farmers in Karaikal to adopt integrated pest management strategies to protect standing paddy crops inundated during the recent heavy rain

A team of scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture and Research Institute (PAJANCOA), and agricultural extension officers has advised farmers in Karaikal to adopt integrated pest management strategies to protect standing paddy crops inundated during the recent heavy rain.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture reported to the Puducherry government that there was a possibility of significant yield loss as rains during Cyclone Fengal had affected samba and thaladi crops on 4,450 hectares in Karaikal. The downpour during the crucial tillering stage, which, according to R. Ganesan, Additional Director of Agriculture, had reduced the tillering capacity, leading to a considerable decline in potential yield.

The special team prioritised protecting standing crops and mitigating pest outbreak. It recommended integrated pest management strategies to address the threat of pests such as stem borer, leaf folder, and gall midge, which typically proliferate a week after waterlogging.

“Chemical pesticides should be used only if necessary. Neem oil and neem kernel extract would be effective. Fertilizer should be applied in small and split doses to minimise crop damage,” the advisory said.

All affected paddy areas are covered under the Puducherry government’s mandatory crop insurance scheme. Insurance agencies would conduct crop-cutting experiments at harvest to compare current yields with the past seven years and determine compensation.

P.G. Somu, Joint Secretary of the Delta Vivasayigal Sangam, Karaikal Chapter, welcomed the government’s announcement of ₹30,000 an hectare in relief. However, he urged insurance companies to provide timely and adequate payment. “We rarely receive sufficient relief in the past and hope this time will be different,” he said.