(a) whether the sugarcane crop in some parts of the country particularly in Maharashtra have
been affected by white woolly aphid pest attack;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Union Government have sent a Central team to Maharashtra to assess the
damage;
(d) if so, the details of the report submitted by the Central team; and
(e) the further assistance the Union Government propose to provide to the State Government
to face the challenge?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Sugarcane crop in Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, Ahmadnagar and
Sohlapur districts of Maharashtra and Belgam, Bidar, Bijapur, Bellary and Bagalkot districts of
Karnataka has been reported to be affected by white woolly aphid pest in varying intensity.
(c) & (d): The Union Government has already deputed a Central Team to the pest affected
areas to assess the situation. The team has already toured the area from 3-6th March, 2003. The
report of the team is awaited.
(e): Further action on this issue, including decision regarding assistance to the State
Government to face this challenge will be taken on basis of the report of the Central Team.