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

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 thousand 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.

Read more at telanganatoday.com

Publication date: Mon 7 Feb 2022