VALPOI: Cautioning farmers in Sattari that climate change has threatened chilli cultivation in the taluka, the Zonal Agricultural Officer (ZAO) has appealed to farmers to take measures to preserve their crops.
Chilli is being cultivated in many parts of Sattari but farmers have begun facing various challenges due to changes in weather.
Sattari ZAO Vishwanath Gawas said farmers in Sattari taluka have been growing local as well as other varieties of chillies.
“However, the weather has been changing since the last two months and it has rained on many occasions. This climate change has impacted the cultivation of chillies,” said Gawas.
Gawas also stated that chillies are also susceptible to pests, but added that insecticides can be used to tackle these pests and insects.
Gawas said pests and insects can be controlled through natural and organic ways and cited the experience of Ashok Joshi, a progressive farmer from Hedode, who has managed to control pests and insects to a great extent by spraying 80 ml neem oil mixed in 15 litres of water.
Gawas has appealed to farmers to protect their chilli crops as soon as possible with either of the two methods.
