KANGAR: Padi farmers here are staring at a 50% drop in yield due to a severe infestation of the leaf roller moth caterpillar, known locally as ulat putih (white worm).The outbreak has threatened the livelihood of more than 350 farmers in five areas under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority in Perlis.

The five affected Area Farmers Associations are Arau, Kayang, Kangar, Tambun Tulang and Simpang Empat.

Padi farmer Sharipudin Ahmad, 64, said the attack, which began two weeks ago, stunted padi growth resulting in crop damage.He said his 1.2ha padi farm was hit by the infestation, with production yield expected to be slashed by half.“We face this problem every year but the infestation this year seems severe and unusual,” said the farmer of 30 years from Kampung Pida 15 in Sanglang.

Sharipudin said he and other farmers in the area have been using different types of pesticides to prevent further damage, to no avail.

“I hope the relevant agencies can help us mitigate the impact of the infestation,” he added.

The larvae of the caterpillar often called white caterpillars, present a recurring threat to padi farmers every planting season. Its rapid reproduction rate requires immediate eradication efforts.During the early growth stages until the padi matures, the larvae roll and join the leaves at the tips, feeding on the green tissue and leaving only the cuticle behind. This feeding behaviour severely damages the leaf structure.

E1 Simpang Empat PPK unit chief Mat Khamis Hassan said more than 100 padi farmers in his area have been affected by the infestation.

“The problem began when the rain started falling at night. This likely exacerbated the infestation,” he said.

Mat Khamis said white caterpillars pose a significant threat, especially to farmers from underprivileged and low-income backgrounds who rely on padi sales for their livelihood.

“If their production yield is affected, their survival is at risk,” he said, adding that the relevant authorities should take swift action to prevent further damage to both the padi crops and to farmers’ livelihood.

Perlis agriculture committee chairman Razali Saad said some 700ha involving 352 farmers were affected by the infestation.

He said the attack, said to have started about a month ago, could severely affect farmers who will begin harvesting in two weeks.

“The farmers’ income will suffer, depending on the stage of the padi affected by the caterpillars.

“If the infestation hits during this mid-growth phase, we could see a loss of up to 40% of the expected yield,” Razali said.

The Simpang Empat assemblyman said the state government had already contacted the relevant agricultural agencies to hold discussions on the issue.

“For now, the infestation has not reached the emergency stage. But we need the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry to monitor so that losses among farmers can be reduced,” he added.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/29/padi-farms-bugged-by-caterpillars