- 8,000 Acres of Paddy in Patiala Affected by Bona Virus: Dr. Balbir Singh
-Early Sown Varieties PR 131, 132, 114 Hit Hard; Farmers Advised to drain excess water, Zinc and Hopper Control
Patiala, September 20:
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, along with a team of agriculture experts, today visited villages Lang, Lachkani, New Fatehpur, Bakshiwala, Dandrala Khurd, Lout, Allowal and Sidhuwal in Patiala district to inspect paddy crops affected by Southern Rice Black Streaked Dwarf Virus (commonly known as Bona Virus) and False Smut disease.
During his interaction with farmers, the Minister assured them that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government stands firmly with the farmers. He added that he has already discussed the issue with the Chief Minister and the Agriculture Minister to ensure that a comprehensive solution is worked out and farmers receive all possible assistance.
Dr. Balbir Singh informed that nearly 8,000 acres of paddy in Patiala district have been affected by the Bona Virus. He directed agriculture experts to thoroughly examine the causes and take urgent measures to control its spread.
According to experts, paddy transplanted before June 25—particularly early-sown varieties such as PR 131, PR 132 and PR 114—has been hit the hardest. The affected plants remain stunted, fail to grow properly, and do not develop grain. Excessive rainfall and moisture this year have further aggravated the outbreak.
Advising immediate remedial measures, Dr. Balbir Singh said that experts have recommended draining excess water from the fields, applying zinc, and spraying insecticides to control white-backed plant hoppers, which are transmitting the virus to healthy plants and multiplying rapidly. For False Smut control, farmers were advised to spray Cocide 2000 at the rate of 500 grams per acre before panicle emergence.
Reassuring the farmers, Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized that the government is fully aware of the situation and is taking every possible step to minimize crop losses. He urged farmers to remain in close contact with agricultural experts so that timely preventive measures can be implemented to protect crops in the future.
On the occasion, Chief Agriculture Officer Jaswinder Singh, Agriculture Officer Gurmit Singh, Agriculture Development Officer Raspinder Singh, Agriculture Extension Officer Ravinderpal Singh Chatha, Jaswinder Ghandi, Jai Shankar, Sarpanch Sanjeev Rai, and Suresh Rai were present.
