An unknown disease has severely affected rubber plantations in Mohanpur subdivision, reducing latex production and increasing farmers’ losses. Rubber growers have urged the Rubber Board and the government to introduce drone-based pesticide spraying technology for effective disease control and protection of the rubber sector.
An unidentified disease has spread across rubber plantations in several parts of Mohanpur subdivision, triggering a sharp decline in latex production and causing growing concern among rubber cultivators. The outbreak has significantly affected plantations in Jalilpur under Bamutia, where farmers are now appealing to the Rubber Board and the state government to introduce drone-based pesticide spraying technology to combat the disease effectively.
According to cultivators, the disease first appears as discoloration of rubber tree leaves, turning them red and yellow before they begin shedding prematurely. The loss of foliage has directly impacted latex production, reducing yields and affecting the livelihoods of farmers who rely on rubber cultivation as their primary source of income.
The unexpected fall in production has increased financial pressure on growers already dealing with rising cultivation costs. Many farmers fear that if immediate measures are not taken, the disease could spread further and result in even greater economic losses for the region’s rubber industry.
Officials and experts from the Rubber Board recently inspected the affected plantations to assess the situation. During their visit, they advised cultivators on disease management practices and recommended the use of specific chemicals to control the infection. However, farmers said implementing these recommendations has proved difficult due to the high cost of the chemicals and the practical challenges of spraying tall rubber trees using conventional equipment.
Without access to advanced agricultural machinery, several farmers have pooled their resources to purchase a spraying machine. To reach the upper portions of the towering rubber trees, they have been using long bamboo poles, a process they describe as labour-intensive, time-consuming, and considerably less effective than modern spraying methods.
Farmers believe that drone-based pesticide spraying could provide a practical and efficient solution. They pointed out that drone technology is already being used successfully in various agricultural sectors across the country, allowing faster and more uniform spraying while reducing labour costs and ensuring better coverage of tall plantations.
A former local MLA also visited the affected plantations to understand the extent of the damage and assured farmers that efforts would be made to raise the issue with the concerned authorities.
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Rubber cultivators have now renewed their appeal to the Rubber Board and the state government, requesting immediate deployment of drone-assisted spraying technology to control the unidentified disease before it spreads further. They stressed that timely technological intervention could help protect plantations, restore latex production, reduce financial losses, and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on the rubber sector in Mohanpur subdivision.
