NONGSTOIN: The Department of Horticulture and Agriculture, West Khasi Hills (WKH), along with a scientist from ICAR Dr Dandip Patra and APPO of Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC) Amitaba Dalai inspected a site after a swarm of grasshoppers damaged more than five hectare of broom sticks and banana cultivation in Nongthymmai, Tynghor.
After the inspection was carried out on Saturday, a sample was submitted to the scientist for testing.
The District Agriculture Officer (DAO) PN Wahlang and District Horticulture Officer (DHO) W Marbaniang have sent the inspection report to WKH Deputy Commissioner and to the principal Secretary of Agriculture Departments.
Speaking with The Shillong Times, the DHO said that the sample from a laboratory report about the rare species of grasshoppers will be received on Monday. The reports will be expected from CIPMC and scientists of ICAR, he assured.
Marbaniang said that it was absolutely not a locust swarm but a rare species from the grasshopper family. “But we have to wait on the factual reports to know more about the species,” he said.
According to the DHO, he still has no information regarding the initial spraying of insecticides whether it is effective or not because there is no network in the area to receive one, adding that “everything will come in to light on Monday”.
The DHO also exhorted the farmers not to panic because the department is trying every possible means to solve the crisis.
