April 7, 2017
Ahamed Hassan seeks the Centre’s help in combating wheat blast disease in Bengal
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Sir, I am raising an issue which is very important for the country’s agriculture. Sir, a deadly fungus for wheat crops is severely affecting wheat cultivation in two districts of West Bengal, namely, Nadia and Murshidabad. At least 1,000 hectares of cultivated wheat have already been burnt to stop an infectious and dangerous disease called wheat blast. Burning of the affected crop is the only way open for the Agriculture Department to prevent this fungus-related disease of wheat crops from spreading to the other areas of the State and the country.
Sir, once infected by wheat blast disease, there is no way to cure the affected crops. Agriculture experts say that this disease was first identified in 1985 in Brazil and thereafter in Bolivia and Paraguay. Here it has come from Bangladesh.
Sir, the West Bengal Government under the inspiring leadership of the Hon. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is giving compensation to the farmers as far as possible.I would request the Agriculture and other concern ministries of the Central Government to take up the issue seriously as it is an issue for the entire country. Measures should be taken by the Central Government so that wheat blast disease does not spread to the other parts of the country. The Centre should also create an adequate fund for the affected farmers of West Bengal, those whose crops had to be burnt for the national interest, Sir.
