EXPLAINER: Rice black streaked dwarf virus a concern for paddy farmers

The spread of southern rice black streaked dwarf virus in the paddy crop has become a matter of concern for paddy farmers in the region. Staring at a yield loss due to the virus, the farmers have started urging the state government to get a girdawari done and announce a compensation for them.How is the virus transmitted and what is its impact?The southern rice black streaked dwarf virus, also known as Fiji virus, is transmitted by white backed plant hoppers. There are reports of the virus affecting the crops in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Yamunanagar districts. The virus poses a serious threat to crop productivity. If not controlled timely, the disease can affect the yield drastically. The plant growth is stunted by the virus, resulting in poor nutrition intake and poor development, which leads toyield loss.What are the concerns for the farmers?The farmers said in 2022, the disease had affected the paddy crop severely and the farmers had suffered heavy losses. Now, again the virus has started showing its effect in the hybrid, permal varieties, and early sown varieties, due to which the farmers are worried. In some areas, the farmers have started ploughing their fields for replantation, but it will increase their cost of production. The virus has shown its impact in hundreds of acres.What are the demands of the paddy farmers?The paddy farmers have been requesting the government to get a special girdawari done of the virus affected paddy fields to assess the loss and announce a compensation of Rs 6,000 per acre for the farmers to cover their losses. The farmers also demand a special awareness campaign to educate the farmers about the virus, and its prevention techniques.What are the instructions for the farmers?The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has advised the farmers to inspect the fields regularly to detect the early signs and alert the department. Uproot and bury the infected plants to control further spread, avoid waterlogging in the fields and ensure proper cleaning of the bunds. The farmers are also advised to use spray of 120gram of chess, or 80 grams of Osheen or Token mixed in 200 liters of water, per acre.What do agricultural experts say?As per the Agriculture Department officials, the virus has shown its impact in patches, and the timely control of the spread of the southern rice black streaked dwarf virus is very important as it can affect the yield of the crop by 80-90 per cent. The officials from the department and agricultural scientists have been visiting the fields and the farmers are advised to use the recommended insecticides to control the spread.

EXPLAINER: Rice black streaked dwarf virus a concern for paddy farmers

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

EXPLAINER: Rice black streaked dwarf virus a concern for paddy farmers

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

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