Focus on controlling the small leaf-rolling caterpillar that damages rice in the fourth generation.
(Baonghean.vn) - On July 16, 2014, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued công văn (official letter) No. 217/SNN-TT to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns, and the Head of the Plant Protection Sub-Department of Nghe An province regarding the concentrated control of rice leaf roller pests in the fourth generation. The content of the official letter is as follows:
According to a report from the Plant Protection Sub-Department, the fourth generation of rice leaf rollers has emerged and is causing damage at high densities and over a wide area in many districts of the province during the 2014 summer-autumn rice crop season. The entire province currently has over 53,148 hectares infested, of which 29,631 hectares are severely infested, with a common density of 50-100 larvae/m².2, where the density is 200-300 fish/m²2, exceptionally 500 - 700 individuals/m²2Currently, the larvae are mainly in the first and second instars. In the coming period, the fourth generation of larvae will continue to emerge and cause severe damage over a wide area on summer-autumn rice crops during the late tillering to heading stage, and on main crop rice during the tillering stage, posing a significant risk to rice yield.
Therefore, in order to effectively and promptly control the fourth generation of rice leaf rollers and successfully protect the 2014 summer-autumn rice crop, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development requests the Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns, and the Heads of the Plant Protection Sub-departments to pay attention to and effectively implement the following contents:
1. Chairpersons of the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns:
- Direct the effective implementation of the contents of Official Dispatch No. 14/CĐ-UBND dated July 14, 2014, of the Provincial People's Committee on controlling rice leaf roller pests in the summer-autumn rice crop of 2014.
- Focus on directing relevant departments and agencies in the area to closely monitor the situation at the grassroots level to organize propaganda and guide farmers to promptly and effectively spray to control the fourth generation of rice leaf roller pests; following the guidance of the Plant Protection Sub-Department and plant protection stations. The most effective time to spray to control the fourth generation of rice leaf roller pests is from now until July 20, 2014.
- Strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations in the business of plant protection products to prevent the use of substandard products.
- Consider allocating local budget funds to support farmers in purchasing pesticides to control the fourth generation of small leaf-rolling caterpillars.
- Instruct the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with the integrated plant protection station to report the situation of the fourth generation of small leaf-rolling caterpillars causing damage and the area treated daily to the Plant Protection Sub-Department at 4 PM via email or fax.
2. Head of the Plant Protection Sub-Department:
- Assigning leaders and specialized staff at the sub-department office to provide specific guidance in each district, city, and town to coordinate with the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns in directing farmers to promptly and effectively control the fourth generation of small leaf-rolling caterpillars. Simultaneously, assigning staff to be on duty at the sub-department office to compile information on pest damage and spraying results in localities, reporting to the Director and Deputy Director in charge at 5 PM daily.
- Strengthen inspections of the circulation and use of pesticides in the area to promptly detect and prevent the sale of substandard or expired pesticides.
- Coordinate closely with mass media agencies to regularly provide information on the emergence, development, and damage caused by pests, and to disseminate, advise, and guide farmers on timely and effective control measures.
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development requests that the Chairpersons of the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns; and the Heads of the Plant Protection Sub-departments urgently organize and effectively implement the above-mentioned contents.
Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: Ho Ngoc Sy
