Govt readies farmers to tackle rodent menace

Dimapur, July 13 (MExN): Owing to the widespread bamboo flowering in the state, the state agriculture department is currently on a state-wide rodent management campaign trail. Today, the sub-divisional level awareness programme was held at Niuland with farmers and village elders. Department officials headed by the district agriculture officer, Nguzonyi Wetsa, issued control measures on rodent pest management.

Still secure from any kind of outbreak, farmers in Niuland subdivision were, nonetheless, shown ways and methods to tackle any unforeseen epidemic. Resource person N Jacob Yanthan, the sub-divisional officer (store), displayed several indigenous trap devices for rats that can be used in the fields and at home. He also explained ways to use chemical substances to kill rats if need arose.

Highlighting the reasons for the need to take control measures, Yanthan spoke at length about the physiology and reproductive system of rodents and the health hazards involved in case of an outbreak. He explained that the breeding capacity of rats is so high that one single rat can produce 500 offspring in a year. Owing to this rapid population growth, Yanthan explained to farmers that their crops can be destroyed within weeks.

Pointing out the possibility of a rodent plague if measures are not adopted at home, the resource person explained the system of approach to tackle the problem domestically. While meticulously explaining the means and ways to trap and kill rodents, Yanthan impressed upon the farmers the need to tackle the problem together. He said a common approach would help reduce the problem. Yanthan further cautioned them to control rodents within the houses as rats begin to attack kitchens after they have left the fields dry.

The district agriculture officer, Nguzonyi Wetsa, and the sub-divisional agricultural officer, Khukivi Achumi, further urged the participants to approach the government if there was any indication of rodent outbreak in Niuland. All participants were provided with rat killer chemicals by the department.