Special Initiative for Farmers' Crop Protection, Scientific Guidance from Pest and Disease Identification to Control

Farmers' crop protection special initiative, scientific guidance from pest-disease identification to control ’On the instructions of Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, emphasis on crop monitoring and damage prevention’ ’Crop Doctor app, agricultural science centers and mobile messages will deliver useful technical information to farmers’ Raipur, Chhattisgarh is placing special emphasis on crop health management to protect farmers' crops from damage caused by pests and diseases and to maintain the quality of agricultural production. In line with the directives of Agriculture Development and Farmer Welfare Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, farmers are being encouraged to identify pest and disease occurrences in crops timely, get scientific diagnosis and adopt appropriate control measures. They are advised to use the digital facilities of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, the scientists of agricultural science centers and regional agricultural advisory services. Outbreaks of pests and diseases can pose a challenge to farmers. Failure to identify problems in time or spraying agricultural chemicals without proper information can damage crops and increase production costs. Therefore farmers are advised to first obtain scientific diagnosis when abnormal symptoms appear in crops and then adopt suitable control measures. ’Crop Doctor app will provide crop problem information’ The Crop Doctor app of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya is a useful digital tool to understand pest and disease problems based on observed symptoms and obtain management information. Farmers can use the app to get information on yellowing leaves, spots, wilting, stem and root damage or pest outbreaks. The information from the app can help understand the potential problem. However, in serious or unclear cases, consultation with agricultural scientists is necessary to confirm the problem. Farmers can use the app via this link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=igkv.igkvcropdoctor) Emphasis on regional agricultural advisory through mobile messages Considering crop stage, weather and regional pest and disease outbreak potential, timely agricultural advisory is important for crop protection. Agricultural science centers (KVK) and Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya deliver agricultural information to farmers through mobile messages. Farmers are advised to follow official advisory issued for their region and manage crops accordingly. Take advice from scientists of agricultural science centers If abnormal symptoms appear, pest or disease identification is unclear or standard measures do not help, farmers can contact scientists at their district agricultural science center. For consultation, farmers should provide crop name, variety, current stage, affected plants and leaf pictures, nature of damage and recent fertilizer and pesticide usage. This helps scientists assess possible causes and give appropriate management guidance. Sample testing or field inspection can be arranged if needed. Use agricultural chemicals only after correct identification Farmers are urged not to spray any pesticide or other agricultural chemical without proper identification. Choose chemicals according to the crop and target pest or disease, and follow label‑specified dosage, waiting period, personal protective equipment and other instructions. Timely problem identification, scientific diagnosis and appropriate control measures can reduce crop loss, improve cost management and preserve product quality. Farmers are advised to use technical guidance available through Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya and agricultural science centers to regularly monitor their crops and prioritize crop health protection. Publication note: The news mentions the initiative in accordance with the instructions of Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam as per your guidance. Verify the minister’s directives and current operation of the mobile messaging service before official release. Also, the date above is 18 October 2026 as per today’s date; change the publication date if the news is to be issued on another day.