Centre Forms Expert Panel Over Bihar Litchi Crisis

• Shivraj Singh Chouhan orders expert task force on litchi crisis
• Panel to study crop losses caused by litchi stink bug in Bihar
• Scientists and officials asked to submit report within one week
• Team to recommend immediate and long-term relief measures

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th May: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has ordered the formation of a special expert task force to address the growing crisis faced by litchi farmers in Bihar due to large-scale crop damage caused by the litchi stink bug.

The decision was taken after farmers raised concerns during an interaction programme held on May 7 at the ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture.

Taking immediate cognisance of the issue, Chouhan directed officials to constitute a scientific panel to assess the damage and recommend urgent remedial measures.

According to an order issued by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, the task force will visit affected districts in Bihar, scientifically evaluate crop losses and suggest both short-term and long-term solutions.

The panel will also recommend advisories and extension activities for farmers while proposing interventions required at the state and central government levels.

The Director of the National Research Centre on Litchi, Muzaffarpur, has been appointed chairperson of the task force.

The expert team includes scientists and representatives from the Bihar Horticulture Mission, Bihar Agriculture Department, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar Agricultural University and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.

Other members include entomology experts from ICAR institutions in Ranchi and Bengaluru along with scientists from the Muzaffarpur-based litchi research centre.

The task force has been instructed to submit its report to the Union Agriculture Minister within one week to enable timely action for protecting farmers and the litchi crop.