Four diseases have been identified which are spreading these days in relation to rice cultivation. Among them, the yellowing of leaves due to nutritional deficiencies, nematode or root nodule roundworm disease and Thrips disease are among them, states the Department of Agriculture.
This was revealed at a press conference held on Thursday (12) at the Ministry presided by Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Secretary of the Ministry Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Director General of Agriculture Malathi Parasuraman and Director of Bathalagoda Paddy Research Institute Dr. Jayantha Senanayake.
Minister Amaraweera said that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture officials were directed to take measures as soon as news of the spread of these paddy diseases were reported. Minister Amaraweera said that plans are afoot to get a successful harvest this season.
At the discussion held with agricultural experts, the farmers said that the lack of application of MOP fertilizer for paddy cultivation this year has resulted in the yellowing of leaves and since the price of MOP fertilizer is high, the farmers have difficulties in purchasing it.
The Government provides funds to every farmer without recovery.
The Minister also requested the farmers to use it for buying MOP fertilizers.
Director General of Agriculture Malathi Parasuraman requested not to be misled by the advice given by various people on the use of insecticides to control the disease.
She urged every farmer to monitor his field carefully, and if any disease is observed, to immediately inform the area office of the Agricultural Extension Officer.
Parasuraman said that the instructions given by the Department of Agriculture should be properly followed.
Director Dr. Jayantha Senanayake said that the Agriculture Department officials and experts of the Bathalagoda Paddy Breeding Centre have been deployed to help control the spread of the diseases.
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