Vijayawada: Insects, mainly chilli thrip, are putting chilli farmers in great distress by destroying their crops across the state. According to reports, thrips have damaged crops over nearly five lakh hectares during the current season.
Chilli farmer G. Srinivasa Rao of Karucholu in Edlapadu mandal of Guntur district expressed anguish that tamara purugulu (western flower black thrips) have caused a major damage to his entire crop, even though he has applied all available insecticides, including costly ones, available in the market.
Srinivasa Rao recalled that in the past, farmers successfully used phosalone and DDVP when thrips attacked their crops. But these have since been banned. He appealed to the government to reconsider and allow the banned products for safeguarding their remaining chilli crops.
Another chilli farmer V. Anil Kumar, along with others from Pamulapadu in Tadikonda mandal of Guntur district, said they are highly distressed because of tamara purugulu. “The government should have provided some alternative pesticides. But it has not done so. Anil Kumar demanded that the government immediately provide the required pesticides or find a suitable solution to save rest of their chilli crop.
When contacted, officials maintained that it is the central government that has banned 27 pesticides, including DDVP and phosalone. Only the centre can review the ban, they felt.
