Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, led a high-level meeting on Wednesday to address the rising threat of pyrilla and whitefly pests affecting sugarcane crops, primarily due to increased humidity.
During the meeting, the minister expressed concern over the shifting of the pyrilla pest from northern to southern regions, causing significant damage to the sugarcane crops. Both pests have now emerged as serious threats to the nation’s sugarcane production.
The minister emphasized that the government is coordinating with relevant departments to combat the issue and is launching awareness campaigns to educate farmers on preventive measures to mitigate crop losses.
Experts at the meeting explained that pyrilla and whitefly typically attack the underside of sugarcane leaves, feeding on the sap. This causes yellow spots, leading to the eventual drying of the leaves.Â
Additionally, pyrilla produces a sticky secretion known as honeydew, which attracts fungus, further causing the leaves to blacken. Blackened leaves are unable to photosynthesize, which severely reduces the plant’s growth and sugarcane yield.
Farmers were urged to take immediate action, including inspecting fields regularly and maintaining communication with local agricultural extension officers. They were advised to apply pesticides such as Imidacloprid in a timely manner to control the infestation.
The minister assured farmers that the government is fully committed to providing technical support and guidance, stressing that collective action is vital to protecting the nation’s sugarcane crops from further damage.
