Comprehensive action plan to deal with disease and caterpillar attack on soybean

Bhopal. While expressing concern over caterpillar attack on soybean crops in some areas of Madhya Pradesh, a meeting of the state cabinet held discussions on a Comprehensive action plan to control it. In presentation on behalf of Agriculture Department, it was informed that only 2 percent of soybean area is affected by caterpillars. Despite it, the state government has directed to assist affected farmers on a war-footing. Ministers in-charge of concerning districts will contact farmers during field visits.
Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan directed Agriculture Department to be active and alert to control soybean diseases. Agriculture Department informed that attack of Green caterpillar, black caterpillar, tobacco caterpillar, white fly caterpillar and yellow mosaic disease has been witnessed on soybean crops. The effect has been witnessed in only one lakh hectares out of 58.07 lakh hectares of soybean crops. Main reasons behind caterpillar attack are long dry spell, use of GS 335, over rate of seeds, less gap in crop cycle change, more use of urea and less use of potash.

State level control room and diagnostic team

The cabinet was informed that a 24X7 state level control room has been set up pertaining to caterpillar attack on soybean crops. Its phone number is 2558823. Teams comprising officers of Regional Agriculture Research Centres, Agriculture Science Centres and Agriculture Department in 51 districts will submit their report after field visits. Diagnostic team will advice farmers on the spot. Separate teams will be constituted in the development blocks affected by soybean disease. District level control rooms will function from 8 am to 8 pm.