NEW DELHI – Taking urgent note of the devastating impact of the litchi stink bug on Bihar’s orchards, Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered the immediate formation of a high-level expert task force. The team has been given a strict one-week deadline to assess the damage and submit a roadmap for recovery.
The intervention follows a direct interaction between the Minister and farmers on May 7 at the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow, where growers raised alarms over massive crop losses.
Swift Action for Bihar’s Farmers
The newly formed task force, led by the Director of the National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL), Muzaffarpur, is mandated to provide both immediate relief strategies and long-term scientific solutions.
Key Objectives of the Task Force:
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On-Ground Assessment: Visiting the worst-hit blocks in Bihar’s primary litchi-producing districts.
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Scientific Evaluation: Studying the extent of the stink bug infestation and resulting economic losses.
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Remedial Roadmap: Formulating state and central-level interventions to halt the spread.
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Farmer Advisories: Issuing technical guidance and extension activities to help growers protect remaining yields.
A Multi-Disciplinary Panel of Experts
The task force draws expertise from top-tier agricultural institutions across India:
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ICAR Specialists: Scientists from Ranchi and the National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru.
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State Representation: Nominees from the Bihar State Horticulture Mission and the State Agriculture Department.
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Academic Input: Entomologists from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (Pusa) and Bihar Agricultural University (Sabour).
The Road Ahead
The Minister’s proactive approach highlights the government’s focus on crop protection and farmer welfare. By demanding a report within seven days, the Ministry aims to deploy timely chemical or biological interventions to salvage the current season and ensure the “Shahi Litchi” of Bihar—a GI-tagged pride of the state—remains resilient against future biological threats.
