President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Cabinet have focused special attention to the damage caused by the Fall Army Worm and have instructed the agricultural authorities to take all measures to eradicate the spread of the pest, said Development of Samurdhi Home Economy, Microfinance, Self-Employment and Businesses and Under-Utilized State Resources State Minister Shehan Semasinghe.
"I assure the farmers that within the possible shortest period the Foligan virus chemical mixture would be sprayed to every pest affected cultivated landscapes in the district," the State Minister said.
Semasinghe closely inspected the damage being caused by Fall ArmyWorm to the Maize cultivations in Anuradhapura district, gathering firsthand information, said Development of Samurdhi Home Economy, Microfinance, Self-Employment and Businesses and Under-Utilized State Resources State Minister Shehan Semasinghe.
The State Minister was speaking during his observation tour to inspect the pest affected cultivations in Kebithigollewa, Horowpothana, Kahatagasdigiliya, Wilachchiya, Thambuttegama and Galenbindunuwewa. Referring to the Fall Army Warm issue, Semasinghe told Daily News that on the instructions of the President, a new insurance scheme is being designed for paying the maximum compensation to the affected farmers. It is a pity that although the Fall Army Worm invaded our crops two years ago, we are still dragging on for finding a permanent solution to thwart the epidemic.
"We are determined to eradicate this pest once and for all," Semasinghe further emphasised. The State Minister expressed concern over the latest situation that the Army Worm has started invading other crop varieties other than Maize.