Srinagar, Aug 8: A team of agricultural officers comprising Joint Director (Extension) M S Katoo & Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora, Sub Divisional Agri Officer Bandipora today visited Bandipora and inspected paddy crop.
 The team visited Nadihal, Watrina, Rampora, Guroora, Argam and other adjacent villages and the team had threadbare discussion with the farmers regarding the control of paddy blast & other diseases.
 Though paddy crop is still in good condition but farmers were advised to clean their bunds covered with grass and other weeds which act as alternate host and encourage the disease spread.  At village Waterna a few patches of paddy crop were seen affected by Paddy Blast and Sheath blight & farmers in these areas were advised to remain in touch with Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora & field functionaries for spray of fungicides in their fields.
 The team also met local MLA at Bandipora and apprised him about the situation for apprehension of diseases keeping in view the prevailing dry spell in the valley.
 The team also visited Kupwara District comprising the villages Ramhal, Punzwa, Vilgam, Cherakot, Dohama. Though the condition of paddy crop is good and there is moisture stress due to lack of irrigation facilities, it is apprehended that disease may come up if irrigation facilities will not improve immediately. Farmers were advised to spray the fungicides like tricyclozole-75 WP, ediphenphos-50 EC , hexaconozol-5 EC , mancozeb-75 WP. Chief Agriculture Officer Kupwara advised them to remain in touch with field functionaries who have already geared up for controlling of the disease. The Department has been conveying messages through print & electronic media from the very beginning that farming community must take precautionary measures to safe-guard the paddy crop for their own interests and the Department of Agriculture is at their back and call to assist and facilitate them with technical guidance at any point of time & at any stage.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST