Brown Planthopper Attacks HST

By Ulul Maskuriah

Barabai, South Kalimantan (Antaranews) - Brown planthoppers again attacked Central Hulu Sungai (HST). Approximately 75 hectares of agricultural land in Mahang village, Sungai Hanyar, Subdistrict Pandawan, threatened damaged.

Agricultural Protection Areas Enam Brigade Leader, Abdul Khair, here on Monday said, not only threatening the 75 hectares of paddy field, the pest has made about 10 rice fields charred.

"There has been damaged by leafhoppers, land and the other half can still be saved," Abdul Khair said.

Types of rice attacked are local varieties and IR 42 derivative, which are now getting the full attention of all parties concerned.

HST Agriculture Agency and TPH has coordinated with South Kalimantan Standardized Protection Center. They sent the team together to planthopper location in the village of Buntut, Mahang Village, Sungai Hanyar, Subdistrict Pandawan. Farmers with officers directly spraying insectiside.

Not only attacking paddy fields at lower land, the pest also found in the farmers fields at mountains. Several cases began reaching cultivators in Meratus include the Subdistrict Hantakan and East Batang Alai. Although the condition is not severe, but if left unchecked it will lead to rice sucked into a vacuum by rice pest.