Patiala paddy farmers hit by dwarf virus

Paddy on nearly 8,000 acres in over 100 Patiala villages has been affected by dwarf virus, with early sown varieties the hardest hit.

Health Minister Balbir Singh, who is a legislator from Patiala (Rural), said excess rainfall and moisture this year aggravated the problem.

He said experts had recommended the draining of excess water from the fields, use of zinc and insecticides to control white-backed plant hoppers that were transmitting the virus to healthy plants. The minister said this as he, along with a team of agriculture experts, visited Lang, Lachkani, New Fatehpur, Bakshiwala, Dandrala Khurd, Lout, Allowal and Sidhuwal villages to inspect the crop affected by dwarf virus (commonly known as bona virus) and false smut disease. The minister assured farmers that he had discussed the issue with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian to work out a solution and provide maximum assistance to them.

Balbir Singh said he directed agriculture experts to thoroughly examine the causes and take urgent measures to control its spread. According to experts, paddy transplanted before June 25 — particularly early-sown varieties such as PR 131, PR 132 and PR 114 — had been hit the hardest. The affected plants remained stunted, failed to grow properly and did not develop grain. Excessive rainfall and moisture this year had aggravated the problem.

For false smut control, farmers were advised to spray Cocide 2000 at the rate of 500 gm per acre before panicle emergence. Balbir Singh stressed that the government was fully aware of the situation and taking every possible step to minimise crop losses. Her urged farmers to remain in close contact with agricultural experts so that timely preventive measures could be implemented to protect crops.