Western flower thrips infest chilli crops in thousands of acres in erstwhile Nalgonda

Suryapet: Chilli farmers are facing huge losses in Nalgonda and Suryapet districts due to infesting of western flower thrips to the horticulture crop in thousands of acres of land. The farmers took up cultivation of chilli crop in 27,472 acres in Suryapet district and in 3,073 acres on Nalgonda.

More than 28 lakh tonnes of chilli crop is estimated to be produced in Suryapet and Nalgonda districts. On an average, around 12 tonnes of chilli crop would be produced per an acre. But, the farmers could get just 10 percent of the expected yield i.e. around six quintal per acre due to infesting of western flower thrips. The situation also shown impact on the green chilli prices in the vegetable markets. The price of green chilli was increased to Rs 80 per kg. The price of red chilli may also become dearer in the next couple of months.

A farmer Aludasu Venkaiah, who was native of Loyapally in Suryapet district, has leveled his four months old chilli farm in his one acre agriculture land using a tractor due to infestation of western thrips. He spent Rs 1.7 lakhs for investment of chilli cultivation, but resorted to act after losing hope that he would get even get one quintal of chilli.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Venkaiah said that he purchased chilli nurseries from a nursery in Khammam district. Infest of the thrips was impacting the chilli farms at the flowering stage. Labour charges for plucking of chilies would be more than the price to get from the crop, hence he has decided to remove the chilli farm. He requested the State government to extend compensation to save the farmers.

Another farmer Valapu Mallaiah said that he has spent near Rs 2 lakhs for investment for cultivation of chilli in his one acre at Loyapally. But, he got only 50 kg of red chilli while plucking the crop last week. To protect chilli crops, he spent additional money for pesticides, but in vain.

Assistant Director of Horticulture Sridhar told Telangana Today that horticultural scientists already examined the infested chilli crops in some mandals in the district. “We are trying to create awareness in the chilli farmers on the methods to protect their crops from western flower thrips. Western flower thrips issue was reduced in Athmakur (S) and Chivvemla mandals where the farmers followed the suggestions of the horticulture officers. The problems is still continuing in the remaining mandals,” he said. A clear picture on crop damage can be estimated only after plucking of chilli crop by the farmers in the first week of March, he added.