Centre urged to strengthen support for Raichur chilli farmers hit by black thrips
G. Kumar Naik, Raichur MP, has urged the Union government to strengthen scientific and institutional support for chilli farmers affected by black thrips infestation, saying
G. Kumar Naik, Raichur MP, has urged the Union government to strengthen scientific and institutional support for chilli farmers affected by black thrips infestation, saying the existing measures are inadequate to address the scale of the problem in Raichur district. In a press note issued on Wednesday (July 29), the MP said the issue was raised in the Lok Sabha through a question seeking details on compensation and protection for chilli growers in Raichur. In its reply, he added, the Centre acknowledged that black thrips is the predominant pest affecting chilli cultivation in the district and outlined measures such as climate-resilient crop varieties, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, crop insurance and market support schemes.
It also recognised the rising cost of chilli cultivation, he added. However, Mr. Naik pointed out that the government’s reply did not provide data on crop damage, yield losses, the impact of climate change, farmer indebtedness, or the effectiveness and adoption of the existing interventions. Instead, it largely relied on information relating to ongoing schemes and advisories, he said. Referring to a 2024 roving survey published in the International Journal of Entomology Research, the MP said Raichur recorded the highest black thrips infestation among eight major chilli-growing districts of Karnataka, with an average of 14.73 thrips per plant, indicating severe crop damage.
He said successive studies have recommended more effective IPM interventions, particularly during the early stages of crop growth. Despite this, the Centre’s response does not indicate how many farmers have adopted the recommended practices, the extent of extension support provided, or whether the interventions have actually reduced pest incidence and crop losses in severely affected districts such as Raichur, he noted. He also highlighted that the Karnataka government has expanded micro-irrigation facilities, IPM practices through farmer demonstrations and extension services, and increased the scale of finance for chilli cultivation by 24% to reflect rising cultivation costs.
Naik said the Centre’s current approach appears to place the burden of managing the invasive pest largely on farmers, whereas they deserve stronger scientific support, timely extension services and coordinated institutional intervention. He asserted that chilli growers in Raichur and across Karnataka require more effective assistance to protect their livelihoods.
The BriefWire