Rice blast disease ravages paddy fields in Pulwama

SRINAGAR, SEP 25: Large tracts of paddy fields in the Litter tehsil of Pulwama district in South Kashmir have been severely affected by the rice blast disease, leaving hundreds of paddy farmers in distress.
This fungal infestation has struck the heart of the region’s agricultural livelihood, causing significant concerns for the local community.

Muhammad Sadiq a resident of the affected area, revealed that the rice blast disease had afflicted approximately 40 percent of the paddy crop, with the most impacted regions being Herpora, Zahid Bagh, and Rajpora. Paddy cultivation holds immense significance in these parts, as it is the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the local population.
Expressing their distress, many farmers have highlighted the potential adverse effects on crop yields and have appealed to the government for adequate compensation. They believe that such support is essential to help them recover from the economic losses incurred due to the disease outbreak.
A senior Agriculture Department official acknowledged the grim situation and explained that the disease could not be prevented at this stage, as the crop was already in the harvesting phase.
However, he assured the community that the Agriculture Department had promptly dispatched a team to assess the extent of the damage and to provide guidance on managing the situation.
He also emphasised the importance of farmers insuring their crops under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojna (PMFBY), a government-sponsored insurance scheme introduced in 2016-2017. Regrettably, he noted that only a small percentage of farmers had availed themselves of this insurance coverage.
To prevent future outbreaks, the officer advised against using seeds from the affected crop in the upcoming farming season. He urged farmers to consider disease-resistant rice varieties and follow agricultural advisories issued by the department regularly. This proactive approach could help mitigate the impact of such diseases on their livelihoods in the future.

As the affected paddy farmers navigate the challenges posed by the rice blast disease, they hope for timely assistance from the government and remain committed to adopting preventive measures to safeguard their crops and livelihoods.