Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken swift and proactive steps to address the crop damage caused by the litchi stink bug in Bihar. Mr Chouhan directed to constitute a special expert task force that will visit the affected areas and submit a report along with recommendations for remedial measures.
The issue was raised before the Minister during a farmer interaction programme organised at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow. The expert task force has been constituted with scientists, officials and specialists from various institutions.
The Director of the National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, has been appointed as the chairperson of the panel. The task force will also recommend necessary advisories and extension activities for farmers, besides suggesting interventions required at both the state and central levels. The team has been asked to submit its report to Union Agriculture Minister within one week so that necessary action can be taken on time.
