scholarly journals Fall Armyworm (FAW) Epidemic in Sri Lanka: Ratnapura District Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 09-18
Author(s):  
Nadeeka Perera ◽  
Manjula Magamage ◽  
Aruna Kumara ◽  
Harshana Galahitigama ◽  
Kapila Dissanayake ◽  
...  

A recent outbreak of FAW (Spodoptera frugiperda) caused a substantial yield loss in corn was recorded in Sri Lanka especially from Uva, Eastern and North Central provinces. This was first reported in Sri Lanka in August 2018 and over the last six months, the livelihood of the majority of small-scale farming families was greatly affected. National mobilization of resources, agriculture related institutions together with university academia actively participated with the government campaign of combating the pest and improving the livelihood of affected people all over the country. The effort of this short communication is to describe the magnitude of FAW infestation, its implications in Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka and the contribution of the inter-institutional support towards the sustainable management of the Fall ArmyWorm epidemic in Sri Lanka. Amount of land extent used for corn cultivation in Ratnapura district was estimated as 292.65ha, while 32.95 ha were infected with the pest (11.3%). Highest provincial land extent use for corn in Sri Lanka was Uva province where considerable pest damage has been reported. In Uva, total 42436.7 ha were cultivated in maha season where 30998.3 ha has infected and destroyed (73%). Even though corn was cultivated in lower land extent in Ratnapura, effective and organized disaster management response in Ratnapura was able to minimize the pest impact to 11.3% from total losses.

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Naomi B. Rioba ◽  
Philip C. Stevenson

Fall Armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a polyphagous and highly destructive pest of many crops. It was recently introduced into Africa and now represents a serious threat to food security, particularly because of yield losses in maize, which is the staple food for the majority of small-scale farmers in Africa. The pest has also led to increased production costs, and threatens trade because of quarantines imposed on produce from the affected countries. There is limited specific knowledge on its management among smallholders since it is such a new pest in Africa. Some synthetic insecticides have been shown to be effective in controlling FAW, but in addition to the economic, health and environmental challenges of pesticide use insecticide resistance is highly prevalent owing to years of FAW management in the Americas. Therefore, there is a need for the development and use of alternatives for the management of FAW. These include plant-derived pesticides. Here we review the efficacy and potential of 69 plant species, which have been evaluated against FAW, and identify opportunities for use among small-scale maize farmers with a focus on how pesticidal plants might be adopted in Africa for management of FAW. The biological activities were diverse and included insecticidal, insectistatic (causing increased larval duration), larvicidal, reduced growth and acute toxicity (resulting in adverse effects within a short time after exposure). While most of these studies have been conducted on American plant taxa many South American plants are now cosmopolitan weeds so these studies are relevant to the African context.


2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Meagher ◽  
Everett R. Mitchell

Two trap designs and three sources of commercially-produced pheromone lures were used to capture fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), males in silage corn and peanuts in north-central Florida. Unitraps baited with Trécé and Scenturion lures captured more moths than Scentry-baited traps. Gas chromatographic detection of the pheromone blend suggested no differences in acetate component ratios among lures. Unitraps collected more moths than Heliothis cone traps. Behavioral observations at night showed that equal percentages of moths were initially collected in both traps but that moths were able to escape from cone traps.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mankwana C. Makgoba ◽  
Phumudzo P. Tshikhudo ◽  
Livhuwani R. Nnzeru ◽  
Rudzani A. Makhado

South Africa experienced major outbreaks of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), causing direct damage by feeding on both vegetative and reproductive parts of host plant. The study was conducted to determine the level of impact of fall armyworm on small-scale maize famers after the outbreak of fall armyworm and their control strategies at Ga-Mashashane and Mankweng villages in the Limpopo province. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed to gather information on the damage caused by fall armyworm, economic impact on the local market and control measures on fall armyworm. Using a snowball sampling procedure, 63 small-scale maize farmers from the two villages of the Limpopo province, South Africa, were randomly selected for this study. The results showed that all participants could correctly identify the fall armyworm and reported it as the most important maize pest during 2016–2017 cropping season. The maize yield loss experienced by affected farmers in the 2016–2017 cropping season was slightly lower as compared with the 2015–2016 harvest. These farmers used pesticides as a control measure for fall armyworm. Fall armyworm has become a major pest in South Africa and the tackling of fall armyworm by small-scale farmers and averting yield losses is thus critical. This study contributes to the knowledge on fall armyworm management by small-scale farmers, which is essential to enhancing food security.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
M.W. Amarasiri de Silva

People’s belief that polluted drinking water is the principal medium through which environmental toxins are absorbed into the bodies of CKD of unknown etiology (CKDu) patients in the CKDu-endemic areas in Sri Lanka has been the subject of extensive epidemiological and medical research. This study examines (a) the people’s perception and experience that polluted drinking water is the cause of CKDu, (b) how the government responded to people’s demands for potable water, and (c) the impact of the use of alternative drinking water sources on the health of CKDu patients and their families, and on the progression of the disease in CKDu patients. Data were collected in 2013 and 2019 in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. People’s agitation, activism, and lobbying, together with the media’s work in bringing the issue of polluted water to the forefront of political discourse, have prompted the government, private sector agencies, and community organizations to supply clean water to affected communities. A massive change in drinking water behaviors has occurred following the government’s decision to supply reverse osmosis (RO) water to the affected communities. Informants perceived the provision of RO water as having brought about many positive outcomes in the health and disease progression of CKDu patients.


Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 772-779
Author(s):  
T.Vinsela Jeev

During the DMK regime many welfare schemes for implemented for women especially. This schemes for developments for socio and economic activities for women. The poor women, widows, physically challenged were benefited their schemes. The government allotted lot of sewing machines, Free school books, Midday meal schemes, Small scale Industry, Self help groups, Boating supply for fisher mans and many women teachers were appointed in Elementary school, Middle school, High schools. Women’s were appointed in police Department and also so many schemes for the development of socio and economic condition of the poor women people.


2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. 365-372
Author(s):  
Jayanti.G ◽  
Dr. V.Selvam

India being a democratic and republic country, has witnessed the biggest indirect tax reform after much exploration, GST bill roll out on 1 April 2017.  The concept of this reform is for a unified country-wide tax reform system.  Enterprises particularly SMEs are caught in a state of instability.  Several taxes such s excise, service tax etc., have been subsumed with a single tax structure. it is the responsibilities of both centre and state government to shoulder the important responsibility to cater the needs of the people and the nation as a whole.  The main basis of income to the government is through levy of taxes.  To meet the so called socio-economic needs and economic growth, taxes are considered as a main source of revenue for the government.  As per Wikipedia “A tax is a mandatory financial charge or some other type of levy imposed upon tax payer by the government in order to fund various public expenditure”   it is said that tax payment is mandatory, failure to pay such taxes will be punishable under the law.   The Indian tax system is classified as direct and indirect tax.   The indirect taxes are levied on purchase, sale, and manufacture of goods and provision of service.  The indirect tax on goods and services increases its price, this can lead to inflationary trend.  Contribution of indirect taxes to total tax revenue is more than 50% in India, therefore, indirect tax is considered as a major source of tax revenue for the government, which in turn is one of source for GDP growth.  Though indirect tax is a major source of revenue, it had lot of hassles.  To overcome the major issues of indirect tax system the government of India subsumed most of the indirect tax which in turn gave birth to the concept called Goods and Service Tax.


2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (10) ◽  
pp. 244-251
Author(s):  
Dr. V. Sangeetha ◽  
S.Selva Kumari ◽  
M. Deena ◽  
K. Chandra

In modern days entrepreneurship are increased and they were faced a lot of issues and challenges. Entrepreneur is one who has creative and innovative ideas for a business. The entrepreneurship reduces the unemployment. The Government was encouraged the Entrepreneurs and give award for them. Main objective for these awards is to recognize the business and business man and improve the marketability introduced new products for a market. The Central Government issues award for entrepreneurs who have a age of 40 years and they must be first generation entrepreneurs. They were holding a 51% of equity and ownership of business and then women must individually own 75% or more of the enterprise.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 783-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-dan ZHANG ◽  
Yu-tao XIAO ◽  
Peng-jun XU ◽  
Xian-ming YANG ◽  
Qiu-lin WU ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document