'Lai' pest outbreak hits ripening paddy in Bhojpur, worries farmers

With the paddy harvest season approaching, farmers in Bhojpur have grown worried after a 'lai' pest problem appeared in their paddy crops.

The pest infestation has damaged the base of the paddy plants. Farmers say this damage to the stem base is causing the paddy plants to fall over, among other problems.

As the pests have begun damaging the crop just as the paddy is ripening and ready to be harvested, farmers' concerns about reduced production have grown. Having put in a year's worth of effort to grow the crop, farmers are now in trouble as the pest strikes at this final stage.

The problem has appeared in paddy crops at various locations in Bhojpur. Farmers are searching for ways to protect their crop from the pest infestation.