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This time the shadow of ‘Sting Bug’ is looming over the sweetness of Shahi Litchi of Muzaffarpur, but now there is relief news from Delhi for the farmers of Bihar. The Central Government has taken the problem of this stubborn insect destroying the litchi crop very seriously. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has immediately intervened in this matter and directed to form a high-level special task force. This team will not only inspect the affected areas but will also suggest a sure way to overcome this crisis.

Actually, litchi producing farmers of Bihar were extremely troubled by the increasing outbreak of sting bug for some time. Production was continuously falling and planters were suffering huge economic losses. The farmers expressed their plight in front of the Agriculture Minister, after which the government has decided to field an army of experts without any delay.

Gathering of scientists and experts, investigation will be done at ground zero

The National Litchi Research Center under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has issued official orders regarding this task force. This team does not include stalwarts from any one department, but from well-known agricultural institutions of the country. The team also includes officials from Bihar State Horticulture Mission along with scientists from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (Pusa) and Bihar Agricultural University (Sabaur).

It is being told that experts from the National Agricultural Insect Resources Bureau, Bengaluru will also be a part of this team, so that the behavior of insects can be understood scientifically. This team will not just sit in the offices and prepare the report, but will also go to the gardens of those districts and blocks of Bihar where the sting bug has caused the most devastation.

Litchi of Bihar and pain of farmers: Why was this decision necessary?

Muzaffarpur and its surrounding areas of Bihar are famous for their litchi all over the world. The livelihood of thousands of families here depends on this crop. According to local people, for the last few seasons, sting bugs have caused so much damage to litchi seeds and trees that many farmers have started turning away from horticulture.

Scientists will study in depth how fast this pest is spreading and why traditional methods to stop it are failing. The central government will decide the future policy only on the basis of the experts’ report. This could include new support schemes for farmers, technical training and distribution of improved pesticides.

Emphasis on saving crops as well as increasing income

Now the entire focus of the Central Government is on eradicating such sudden pest problems in horticultural crops. This step of the Agriculture Minister has given new hope to the farmers of areas like Muzaffarpur, Vaishali and Champaran. Experts believe that if spraying and scientific advice reaches the farmers at the right time, crop losses can be reduced to a great extent this year.

This initiative of the government will have a direct impact on the rural economy of Bihar. Farmers hope that the report of this special task force will not be limited to papers only, but will give them the economic and technical cover which they were looking for for years.