Govt. assures Sena caterpillar under control

• Minister lists action taken, rejects Opposition charges  
• Agrees to consider paying compensation via agri insurance
• Will not use hazardous pesticides, which will harm humans and other animals

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

The Government has taken necessary action to stop further spread of the Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) epidemic, and also to find a suitable pesticide, which will help to terminate the caterpillar and its eggs both at the same time, Government lawmakers said yesterday. Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Livestock Development, Irrigation and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister P. Harrison, responding to the Leader of the Opposition’s queries raised in Parliament on Tuesday, rejected any conspiracies in the Fall Armyworm epidemic and charges of poor funding for State research facilities to find solutions. Minister Harrison confirmed to Parliament that a Special Task Force (STF) is now established under President Sirisena, and all relevant State institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture, are working closely to find a better and faster solution to terminate the Fall Armyworm problem.

“Fall Armyworm is not a new issue, and it was detected firstly in United States and eventually in other parts of the world. Fall Armyworm epidemic can spread over a 100km radius within a single night, with the moth being able to fly any direction. Fall Armyworm was detected three months ago in Ampara. It prefers the corn plantations, compared to other crops. The Department of Agriculture has taken action to control the spread of the Sena caterpillar. According to estimates, the epidemic has damaged 20% of the total corn cultivation,” said Minister Harrison.

Rejecting allegations from the Opposition on fund shortages and Government lethargy, the Minister held Rs. 120 million was allocated to find solutions in addition to the Rs. 8,500 million allocated for the Ministry from Budget 2018.

“We are unable to use hazardous pesticides on the corn fields. Use of such dangerous chemicals will eventually harm humans and the other animals. So, we have to act carefully and responsibly. Sometimes the corn plants are tall, and the handheld sprayers are unable to reach the top. So, we may have to consider using drones to spray pesticides in some cases. Pheromone traps are ideal to attract the moth,” he said.

According to Minister Harrison, certain Opposition lawmakers are struggling to put the blame on United National Party (UNP). “I took this Ministry almost three months ago. We have taken action to stop the spread of the Fall Armyworm and to minimise the damage. The staff of the Agriculture Department are committed. We were able to educate the farmers before commencing the 2019 Maha season, so that the epidemic is less,” he said.

Moving on with the plans to compensate the crop damages, the Minister assured to consider including the Fall Armyworm epidemic within a ceiling of Rs. 40,000/- per acre.