Pest, fungus destroy crops in East Java

Leafworm and rice blast fungus have destroyed around 100 hectare of rice crops in Pamekasan regency, East Java and the situation is likely to worsen during the wet season, an agriculture agency official said.

Cacuk Wiyono, the official, told tempointeraktif.com that the worst infestation, which started last month, had occurred in Galis, Kadur, Larangan and Pademawu districts.

“This is the first time [such an infestation has happened here],” he said.

The infestation might get worse, with the limited supply of insecticide and the humid weather of the wet season helping pest and fungus growth, he said.