ICAR Organized National Workshop on Fall Armyworm Management in Maize .
The Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is the most devastating pest of many economically important crops, native to the tropical and subtropical region of America. It has invaded many African countries and caused huge economic lossess. FAW has been reported for the first time in India during May 2018 in Karnataka and subsequently it has spread into the several states of India within a short period of time. Recently, severe incidence of FAW has also been observed in Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and adjoing states on maize crop. In Sikkim, it has been observed in South Sikkim. To make officers and farmers of Sikkim aware a National Workshop on “Fall Armyworm Management in Organic Maize Production” is jointly organized by ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana, Punjab and ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong on June 21, 2019 at Conference Hall of ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong. A total of 140 officers, farmers, farm women and rural youth from East, West, North and South district of Sikkim participated in the programme.
Dr. Raghavendra Singh, Sr. Scientist welcomed the gathering and highlighted the objectives of workshop. The programme was attended by Mr. Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary Dept. of FS&ADD, Govt. of Sikkim, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong, Mrs. Asha Lama, Mr. P.D. Lama and Mrs. Bina Rai from Dept. of FS&ADD, Govt. of Sikkim, Mrs. Neelam Choudhary, Dy. Director, Dept. of Plant Protection and Quarantine Storage, Govt. of India, Dr. D.M. Firake, Sr. Scientist (Entomology), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, Heads of KVK North and South Sikkim, Sri Deep Mohan Mahala, Scientist, ICAR-IIMR, Ludhiana, scientists of ICAR-NOFRI, SMSs of KVK East Sikkim and all the staffs of ICAR-NOFRI, Tadong.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Khorlo Bhutia, Secretary, Dept. of FS&ADD, Govt. of Sikkim. He briefed the issue of organic pests’ management particularly on maize. He said that maize is the major cereal crop of Sikkim, occupied first rank and grown over an area of about 39,000 ha out of the net cultivable area of 77,000 ha. He expressed concern over FAW infestation in maize crop which has been reported from South Sikkim and also stressed on Quarantine storage management.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI in his speech expressed his gratefulness to all the dignitaries and participants for attending such an important workshop on FAW management. In his address, he stressed upon constant monitoring of crop field for early identification of FAW infestation, so that necessary control measures can be taken with available technology option.
During the workshop, Dr. D.M. Firake, Sr. Scientist (Entomology), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya presented about the latest technological breakthrough for management of FAW infestation in maize crop. The meeting ended with offering vote of thanks by Mr. Boniface Lepcha, SMS (Horticulture).
Issued by, ICAR-NOFRI, Gangtok
