Army worm was first seen in Nawalpur (East) in August 2076. Even now, this insect is seen in different districts. Farmers have increased the amount of pesticides every year to control insects, but the problem has not been eradicated. Stakeholders say that there is no interest from the government for control. In this context, Raju Chaudhary of Kantipur had a conversation with Dilliram Sharma, the former head of Plant Quarantine Pesticide Management Center who is also the former Director General of Agriculture Department:

Since the army worm was confirmed in August 2076, its outbreak has been seen every year, but the government has become indifferent in controlling it, why?? 

Soon after Fauji Kira entered Nepal, 2 conferences of international level were held. The Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center invited experts from abroad to discuss the pest control methods and preparations. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also started a project to control the pest. Farmers and technicians of Gandaki and Madhesh provinces were trained for 2 years . Fauji was not a pesticide for insects. Pesticides have also been registered to control insects. After that, although it was not fully under control, something less was seen . But it didn't seem to happen in the way it should have. It could not be effective because all the farmers were not aware of the control.

Why couldn't the government spread awareness to control the disaster? Can the pest be completely controlled or not ? 

The Agricultural Knowledge Center has been providing training and information about pesticides to control insects. But there is a lack of manpower. The service has not reached all the farmers. Only 10 to 15 percent of farmers have received government awareness program and training . 90 percent of the farmers do not know about the method of control. Due to this, the pest has not been controlled. And, there is no complete control, only loss prevention .

How do you see the role of federal, state and local government in controlling armyworm?

This requires coordination between all three levels of government. But it doesn't seem to be coordinated to control . There is no skilled manpower at the local level. Farmers have tried to control it in their own way . The situation in the province is also the same. Although the federal government has some skilled manpower, no attention has been paid to pest control. It is the federal government that makes policy, studies and trains. According to his recommendations, the provincial and local governments will implement it. But there was no coordination between the three levels.

What should be the role of Agricultural Research Council (NARC) in this? The

narc has many roles. Narc should study mainly in two-three subjects but has not been able to do it . Narc has to identify which varieties of corn do not have insects. It is also important to study which pesticide is used to control insects. Which pesticide is suitable in Nepal? At what temperature does the worm spread ? How does it spread? That should be studied . It's not that the narc didn't study at all, but not enough . It is necessary to give it a wide range . 

In what season is armyworm more active? Which crops do the most damage? 

Armyworm has affected the corn crop more. This insect comes in force and attacks in a large amount at once and destroys plants, plants and rodents. It is very active in summer .