India Forms Expert Task Force to Address Litchi Crop Crisis in Bihar

The Union Agriculture Ministry of India has constituted a special expert task force to investigate the severe damage inflicted on litchi crops in Bihar by the litchi stink bug. This decisive action follows reports from local farmers regarding extensive agricultural losses. The task force, comprising representatives from the Bihar State Horticulture Mission, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar Agricultural University, and national bodies like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is mandated to submit a comprehensive report to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan within one week. The team will visit the most affected blocks in litchi-producing districts to scientifically assess crop losses and evaluate the current pest situation. Beyond immediate assessment, the group is tasked with recommending necessary advisories and extension activities for farmers. It will also suggest critical interventions required at both State and Central levels to provide timely relief. The objective is to implement both immediate and long-term measures to mitigate the impact of this major agricultural pest, ensuring that appropriate actions are taken swiftly to support the livelihoods of affected farmers in the region.