Steps to Control Leaf Spot Disease in Banana

New Delhi, December 13, 2013: Sigatoka Leaf Spot disease of banana has affected the banana plantations in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar and Assam.

The National Research Centre for Banana, Tiruchirapalli has developed effective management technology for the control of leaf spot disease in banana by integrated management practices. The disease can be controlled effectively by application of fungicides and petroleum oil coupled with field sanitation and removal of affected leaves.

The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, has launched a programme in collaboration with Govt. of Maharashtra under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana for the management of leaf spot disease in Jalgaon district comprising of 30,000 ha with a subsidy of Rs.30,000 per ha to the farmers for chemicals and other inputs. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs.90 Crores. The project implementation period is three years starting from 2011-12.

This information was given today by Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Tariq Anwar in a written reply to Rajya Sabha questions.