Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered the formation of a special expert task force to tackle the growing crisis affecting litchi farmers in Bihar, where crops are reportedly suffering extensive damage due to the litchi stink bug.
The decision comes after farmers raised concerns about the pest attack during an interaction programme held on May 7 at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow. Taking immediate cognisance of the issue, Chouhan directed officials to constitute a specialised team of scientists and experts to assess the situation and recommend urgent remedial measures.
According to an order issued by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi in Muzaffarpur, the task force will conduct field visits to the most affected litchi-growing regions in Bihar and undertake a scientific assessment of crop losses caused by the litchi stink bug.
The panel has been tasked with suggesting both immediate and long-term solutions to protect the crop and support affected farmers. It will also recommend advisories, awareness campaigns and extension activities, besides identifying interventions required from both the state and Central governments.
The Director of the National Research Centre on Litchi has been appointed chairperson of the task force. Members include representatives from the Bihar government’s horticulture and plant protection departments, scientists from agricultural universities and experts from various ICAR institutions.
Among the experts included in the panel are Jaipal Singh Chaudhary from the ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, M Sampat Kumar from the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Ipsita Samal and Vinod Kumar, who will serve as member secretary of the panel.
The task force has been directed to submit its report to the Union Agriculture Minister within one week to enable timely action.
