DINAJPUR, Dec 30, 2021 (BSS) - Experts at different sessions of a

training course have said the prevalence of 'Fall Armyworm', an invasive pest
native to the Americas, is becoming a remarkable threat to farmers' incomes
and livelihoods.

     They viewed this at the 10-day master trainers' training on "Fight back
against fall armyworm: Integrated pest management solutions" ended at BRAC
Learning Center here yesterday, a press release said today.

     The training was arranged for developing master trainers to combat the
spread of fall armyworm that was first identified in growing maize plants in
Bangladesh in late 2018.

     Agricultural professionals of the Department of Agricultural Extension
(DAE) from 25 maize-producing districts, scientists from research institutes
and officials of national and multinational agri-input supplying companies
participated in the event in four batches.

     The Integrated Pest Management Activity (IPMA) project of International
Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) organized the training under
management of the Dinajpur Hub of CIMMYT.

     The USAID-run Feed the Future initiative extended support with the help
of Virginia Tech University and in collaboration with Bangladesh Wheat and
Maize Research Institute (BWMRI) and the DAE.

     The training focused on identification, field scouting, monitoring
techniques and control management of Fall Armyworm with hands-on experience
in both classroom sessions and field orientation conducted by senior
consultant of CIMMYT Bangladesh and former Director of BARI Dr. Syed Nurul
Alam.

     Additional Secretary (Research) of the Ministry of Agriculture
Kamalaranjan Das inaugurated the event as the chief guest.

     Director General of BWMRI Dr. Golam Faruq, Senior Consultant of CIMMYT
Bangladesh and former Director General of the DAE Dr. Md. Abdul Muyeed,
Additional Director (in-charge) of the DAE's Dinajpur region Md. Shah Alam
and Coordinator of the Dinajpur Hub of CIMMYT Agriculturist Alanuzzaman were
present in different sessions.

     Alanuzzaman said the hungry caterpillars of Fall Armyworm feed on more
than 80 plant species like maize, rice, sorghum, sugarcane, cotton and
vegetables.

     "But, its preferred host is maize, a crop whose acreage is expanding
faster than any other cereal crop in Bangladesh," he said.

     Dr. Golam Faruq said the pest presents a peculiar challenge as it can
disperse over 200 kilometers during its adult stage, laying thousands of eggs
along its way.

     Once settled on a plant, larvae burrow inside maize whorls or hide under
leaves, where they are partially protected from pesticides. "In a bid to
limit fall armyworm damage, farmers' indiscriminate application of highly
toxic and inappropriate insecticides can encourage the pest to develop
resistance creating risks to beneficial insects, farmers and the
environment,'' he added.

     Kamalaranjan Das said the Ministry of Agriculture is concerned from the
very beginning of the prevalence of Fall Armyworm in maize growing areas of
Bangladesh and working to make awareness among all concerned.

     Dr. Abdul Muyeed said to tackle the Fall Armyworm issue and its spread,
CIMMYT is laudably conducting significant public awareness, monitoring and
management actions on several crops, particularly maize, since its invasion.