Cocoanut leafs have been turning to white colour in Jhenaidah which has been disheartening the farmers. The names of the pests were identified as white fly and milibug. Further, virus attack was also liable for the reason, said the agriculture department officials. They also said that it would reduce the production in the current season.
According to the farmers, the least turning white in colour seems to pest some white colours on the leafs. The massive attack of the pests and virus, had made the farmers worried. They said they have been applying lime on the affected leafs which could not bring any result in few days.
A source related to the department of agriculture extension (DAE) in Jhenidah, about 70 hectares cocoanut tress out of total 655 hectares was affected by the pests and disease so far. DAE deputy director Kripangshu Sekhar Biswas when contacted said this sort of attack by white fly and milibug. Further, virus attack was also liable for the reason. Admitting the attack deputy director said the attack was comparatively more in the current season. It might affect the cocoanut perdition this season.
The field level officials of the DAE have been advising the farmers to apply insecticides and use yellow traps to kill the pests. Use of lime might help reduce the attack, deputy director said. The pests like white fly and milibug attack the cocoanut trees sometimes and the farmers should not be worried as it was not in epidemic form, Kripangshu said.
