The State Level Training Programme on Scientific Management of Fall Armyworm (Spodotera frugiperda) on Maize Crop was organised jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram; ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Ludhiana; ICAR- National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru at SAMETI Conference Hall, Aizawl today. Pu Lalhmingthanga, Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture & Rural Development Department, Government of Mizoram graced the training as Chief Guest and Dr. H.Saithantluanga, Director of Agriculture (Research & Extension) gave a welcome and introductory speech.

Pu Lalhmingthanga highlighted that the first incidence of Fall Armyworm in Mizoram was noticed in Lunglei District on the 8th of April and the possible value loss due to the outbreak of Fall Armyworm in Mizoram has been estimated at Rs. 7.65 crore.  He said that as suggested by Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage, Government of India, a State Level Sub-Committee was constituted comprising members from ICAR, NEIDA, KVK, leaders of the Rapid Response Team and others. He also said that the Rapid Response Team has come up with the strategic plan in combating the pest attack in Mizoram. He wished the state level training to be a successful programme.

The 2nd Session was chaired by Dr. H.Saithantluanga and the following papers were discussed and presented:

1.    Eco Friendly Measures for Fall Armyworm Management- Dr. Kesavan Subaharan, Principal Scientist, Division of Germplasm Conservation and Utilization (ICAR-NBAIR, Bengaluru).
2.    Identification and Scouting of Fall Armyworm- Dr.S.B.Suby, Scientist (Entomology), ICAR-IIMR, Delhi Unit.
3.    Integrated Management of Fall Armyworm- Dr. J.C.Sekhar, Principal Scientist and AICRP Principal Investigator (Entomology), WNC, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad.
4.    Geo-referenced Recording of the FAW incidence and reporting- Dr.S.L.Jat, Scientist (Agronomy), ICAR-IIMR, Delhi Unit.
5.    Monitoring and Weather Based Pest Forewarning (Fall Armyworm: Spodoptera frugiperda) – Prospects and Potentials- Dr. Saurav Saha, Scientist (Agril. Physics), ICAR-NEH-Mizoram Centre.

The 3rd Session of the training was concluded with Field Visit and Practical Demonstration for Scouting and Monitoring of Fall Armyworm Population.