News
Paddy cultivation hit by invasive worm, farmers call for assistance
View(s):
A farmer holds up a destroyed paddy plant
In addition to paddy cultivation being hit by the inclement weather, an invasive worm species has affected cultivations in Anuradhapura, Matale and Polonnaruwa.
The invasive species has spread in paddy fields in the areas of Kalawewa, Galkiriyagama, Nagampaha, Bulnewa, Galnewa, and Thalawa in Anuradhapura, Habarana Hiriwadunna, Horiwila, Mahasengama and Hurakgoda in Polonnaruwa, Dambulla, Seegiriya, Galewela and Nawula in the Matale district.
Farmers say that overnight the worm destroys the entire pod of paddy similar to the Sena caterpillar. The worm curls up and lies within the paddy leaf, sucking on the nutrients of the leaf.
Farmers say they have used large quantities of insecticides but have failed to revive their fields and the paddy have turned white and lifeless. They have urged the Agriculture Department and farmer associations to intervene before the situation spins out of control.
Pix and Text by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa
Crops turned white and lifeless
The invasive worm
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!