Highland farmers worry about losing their crops due to black-striped dwarf disease

(Baonghean.vn) – Currently, the rice crop of the people in Western Nghe An is entering the stage of heading and flowering, however, thousands of hectares are at risk of being completely lost due to black-striped dwarf disease.

In the mountainous district of Que Phong, in the 2017-2018 crop season, the district planted nearly 2,250 hectares, including varieties such as NA 2, NA 6, Nghi Iu 986, JO 2... and some local rice varieties. Up to now, the rice is in the stage of heading and flowering. However, according to incomplete statistics of the district's Plant Cultivation and Plant Protection Station, there are currently more than 1,100 hectares of rice infected with brown planthopper and black-striped dwarf disease. Of which, 700 hectares are infected at an average level, and more than 400 hectares of rice are heavily infected.

Mr. Luong Van Long, Co Nong village, Muong Noc commune, said: His family has nearly 1 hectare of summer-autumn rice. Since planting, although pesticides have been sprayed twice, brown planthopper and black-striped dwarf diseases have appeared on most of the area.

Thousands of hectares of winter-spring rice in western Nghe An are at risk of being completely lost due to black-striped dwarf disease. Photo: Ho Phuong

According to Mr. Le Van Quang, Head of the Cultivation and Plant Protection Station of Que Phong district: Since August 2, through inspection, we have discovered that the rice of the local people has signs of pests and diseases. Immediately after that, we sent samples to the Sub-Department and it was confirmed that it was infected with black-striped dwarf disease. On August 6, the People's Committee of Que Phong district has decided to support 50% of the price of pesticides for people to spray. However, spraying pesticides only helps prevent the spread of the disease, while the rice area that has been infected cannot be restored because there is no specific medicine to treat black-striped dwarf disease.

In Tuong Duong district, rice fields in communes such as Mai Son, Tam Dinh, Tam Quang... also show signs of stunting and red burn. Mr. Vi Vo Tuan, head of Quang Thinh village, said: The whole village has 199 households growing rice, with an area of ​​27.5 hectares, but currently all are affected, many areas are affected by pests and diseases from 70% or more and are likely to be completely lost.

Also according to statistics from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quy Chau district, by September 5, 58.8 hectares of rice had been infected with black-striped dwarf disease in the district, of which 46.8 hectares were mildly infected, 8 hectares were moderately infected, and 4 hectares were severely infected.

There is currently no specific treatment for black-striped dwarf disease in rice. Photo: Huu Vi

“The mountainous people have been facing difficulties for a long time, and now the rice epidemic has made us extremely worried about the food security situation of the people. We have also tried to help people deal with it, but because there is currently no specific medicine for the black-striped dwarf disease, the epidemic is still spreading every day. Hopefully, the province will have timely support policies for the people” – Mr. Le Van Giap, Chairman of the People's Committee of Que Phong district shared.

Ho Phuong - Huu Vi