In retrospect: managing an invasive pest, fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, in maize in India through digital and conventional networking pays off rich dividends towards crop sustainability

Abstract

Faced with onslaught of an invasive pest, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, detected first on maize crop in the Indian state of Karnataka in May 2018 threatened the major rainy season maize crop in the following months, and managing it required more of policy perspective. An outreach programme called SAFFAL (Safeguarding Agriculture and Farmers against Fall Armyworm) helped to disseminate knowledge on pest diagnostics, biology and management tactics through information and communication technology to the farmers, agri-extension system and with pest management policy support from the Government. This describes a perspective approach that paid off in meeting the farmer’s informational needs and impacting positively limiting pest damage and sustaining productivity over the next two years.