Shillong, Feb 25: Meghalaya has set up a state level task force (SLTF) and district teams, begun GIS disease mapping and drone spraying, and signed a scientific partnership with Kerala’s CPCRI to contain an outbreak of bud rot in arecanut plantations.
This was informed by the Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira in a reply tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday.
Shira said monthly sanitation drives are being reported on the Meghalaya ONE portal and farmers are being sensitised on identification and control.
Advisory leaflets drafted with ICAR, KVKs, MBMA and CPCRI scientists have been distributed, and an MoU with CPCRI Kasaragod was signed on 28 October 2025 for arecanut development.
A GIS assessment was carried out in North Garo Hills from 28 January to 6 February 2026 with MBDA and will expand to other districts. Earlier, drone mapping in West Garo Hills villages (10-14 August 2025) was followed by targeted Bordeaux mixture spraying (10-14 November 2025) with NECTAR and SVM to create buffer zones, with broader rollout under review.
Subsidised bio-pesticides, bio-agents and equipment are being supplied, Shira added.
For affected growers, the government is distributing alternative crops — banana, pineapple and black pepper — under FDS and RKVY schemes.
