NEELUM VALLEY (Kashmir English): The agricultural sector in Neelum Valley is facing a serious downturn. In the past, ongoing Indian shelling made life difficult for local farmers, disrupting their work and damaging their land.
But even when the situation began to calm, a new challenge emerged, the “Lashkari sundi” or Fall armyworm pest wreaked havoc on the crops, worsening the already fragile condition of agriculture in the region.
While the Agriculture Department is trying to support farmers by making the most of whatever resources are available, there has been no real help from the government so far.
Farmers continue to struggle without proper aid or long-term solutions.
One major threat to crops is the fall armyworm, known scientifically as Spodoptera frugiperda. This pest feeds on more than 60 types of plants, with corn and rice among its favourite targets.
Its fast spread and destructive nature have become a growing concern for farmers across the country.
What is the Fall armyworm (Lashkari sundi)?
According to Kisan Ghar, an online agriculture store: Fall armyworm larvae (or caterpillars) are similar to caterpillars of other related pests.
Look for the following features to determine if the caterpillar you have found in your maize is a fall armyworm or belongs to another species.
- A dark head with a pale, upside-down Y-shaped marking.
- Four raised spots shaped like a trapezium on each body segment are seen from above.
- Four spots form a square on the second-to-last body segment.
- Skin appears smooth to the touch.
- Sawdust-like material called “frass” is present in the maize funnel or on the leaves, tassels and cobs. Large clumps are formed during fresh feeding
The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a polyphagous lepidopteran “species” that attacks over 60 plants, particularly corn and rice.
Back in March 2025, agricultural experts from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad had warned that spring corn crops were at high risk from various pests, including termites, cottony flies, stem borers, American borers, army borers, slow borers, and fast borers.
They pointed out that early prevention was crucial and advised farmers not to overlook the threat during March and April.
As per advice from professionals, farmers should not apply raw cow dung when fertilizing their fields. If termites are found, the experts stated that you should apply “Chlorpyrifos 40 EC at the rate of 2 litres per acre using irrigation.”
For crops under attack by the konpal fly, they suggested using “Amida Clopard 200 SL sprayed at the rate of 200 ml per acre.”
Stem borers can be controlled by releasing “20 Trichogramma cards per acre” from the beginning of the crop cycle. These cards should be replaced every 10 to 15 days until the crop matures.
The slow-moving tela pest often appears in clusters. Experts recommended using light traps to reduce their numbers by targeting male moths. If the infestation becomes severe, “carbosulfan should be used at the rate of 500 ml per acre.”
They added that several advanced farmers in Pakistan can harvest more than 100 maunds per acre, stressing that much more can be achieved with maize.
Applying these suggestions shared by experts can also lead ordinary farmers to increase their crop harvests. It increases their finances and supports the progress of the country.
