Govt spraying chemicals to prevent bud rot disease of betel nuts

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 11, 2022

Minister in-charge Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare Banteidor Lyngdoh on Friday said the department is committed to take up large scale spraying of Bordeaux mixture across all the areas under areca nut cultivation affected by the bud rot disease.

“Accordingly, all the DHOs are being instructed to take up timely spraying and we are providing funding support to all the districts,” Lyngdoh said while replying to a short duration discussion moved by AITC MLA from Mawsynram Himalaya Shangpliang in the Assembly.

According to him, now is the right time to take up pre monsoon spraying. This was taken after consultation with ICAR scientists and Central Plantation Crop Research Institute (CPCRI) Regional Centre, Kahikuchi, Assam and CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala.

They have been working together on the issue of bud rot disease on areca nut plant for many years and found that prophylactic spraying of 1% Bordeaux mixture just before the onset of monsoon to all areca nut trees and bunches and one more spray after 35-45 days is required if the rainy season prolongs – is effective in reducing the disease which resulted in yellowing of areca nut leaves.

“The department is cognizant of the problem caused by the bud rot disease affecting the livelihood of many areca nut farmers in the state. We are very much concerned about the welfare of the areca nut farmers and are taking remedial actions to stop the further spread of this disease,” he assured.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma has asserted the need for the state to ensure planting materials coming from outside are subjected to screening to prevent crops from getting affected by many diseases.

On the request to declare areca nut as an agricultural crop, Lyngdoh said that areca nut is listed in the List of Agricultural produce and livestock under Meghalaya State Produce & Livestock Marketing (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, as an agricultural product.

As per the definition in the Act, agriculture produce includes all produce, whether processed or not, of agriculture, horticulture, apiculture, sericulture, livestock and product of livestock, forest including trees grown on private land, specified in the schedule or declared by the Government by notification from time to time.

This schedule has been approved by the cabinet recently

“This new schedule as specified is prepared by the Meghalaya State Agriculture Marketing Board with inputs from other allied departments with the inclusion of more products from other sectors like Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Forest, Fisheries, Medical Plant Board,” Lyngdoh added.