Bangladesh: BARI alerts farmers to pest infestation in ginger crops

Scientists from the Entomology Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) spotted the occurrence of a destructive insect known as 'Fall armyworm' in ginger crops in June at the experimental farm of Spices Research Centre, located in Shibganj, Bogura. According to Dr. Zulfikar Haider Prodhan, an Entomologist and Chief Scientific Officer of Spices Research Centre, the insect pest was found causing damage to the leaves of ginger plants. Dr. Prodhan observed that the pest infestation was currently under control, and he advised farmers not to panic due to the presence of this pest. He mentioned that BARI has already developed an effective management strategy to combat this pest, says a press release. To resist attacks from this pest, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Dutta, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the Entomology Division at BARI, advised farmers against indiscriminate spraying of toxic chemical insecticides, as t his practice could harm beneficial insects that naturally ...