India, Nov. 6 -- Timely intervention andsustained awareness programmes by state agriculture dept preventedcrop loss

Proper precaution and timely management by the state agriculture department and awareness among farmers have succeeded in thwarting an attack by the Fall Armyworm (FAW) on maize crop in Odisha.

Odisha produces over 7 lakh tonnes maize every year. The coverage of maize has increased to 2.40 lakh hectares in 2019-20 from 2.28 lakh ha a year ago.

Nabarangpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts have taken up maize cultivation in a big way. Besides, it is traditionally grown also in districts like Nuapada, Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh and Sonepur.

"No crop damage due to FAW attack has been ...