Virtual online training program on “Fall Armyworm: Symptoms, Identification & Integrated Management Strategies”

ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora had organized one-day virtual online training program on “Fall Armyworm: Symptoms, Identification & Integrated Management Strategies” on 12^th of July, 2022. More than 48 officials from ICAR Institutes, state departments and KVKs of North Eastern Hill states (Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tripura) attended the training programme through Zoom app. The program was inaugurated by Dr. Lakshmi Kant, Director ICAR-VPKAS, Almora by his valuable introductory remarks. Honorable Director highlighted the economic importance and damage potential of fall army worm in maize crop. He told that since Kharif- 2019, this insect has gained the status of major pest in foot hills and then within a span of one year it has spread to mid and high hills of Himalayas. He also advised the participants about adoption of management strategies in order to get better yield despite of pest attack. Dr. R.K. Khulbe, Principal Scientist, briefed about the activities of the institute along with research achievements and activities to the participants while giving welcome address. He also delivered a lecture on “Maize production scenario in Indian Himalayas”. Wherein, he presented an overview of the maize crop, its production status and biotic stresses of the crop.

The maize varieties which have gained popularity in North Eastern and North western Himalayan hill states were also highlighted. Mr. Amit Paschapur, Scientist, (Agril. Entomology) delivered a lecture on “Fall armyworm: Symptoms, Identification and Integrated Management Strategies”. He highlighted the amount of damage caused by FAW in different Maize growing states of India. He elaborated about the symptoms caused by FAW damage and its diagnosis and different integrated management strategies for Fall armyworm management. He explained about different cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical control strategies available for management of this particular pest. After presentation, interaction session was held, where all the doubts raised by participants were addressed by the experts. The program was concluded with an official vote of thanks to all the dignitaries and participants by Dr. Devender Sharma.