In April 2023, the United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) sought the Centre’s intervention to control the infestation of the tea mosquito bug (TMB) that has started taking a toll on tea production. In this article, you can read more about TMB and how it is affecting tea production in the country. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam agriculture segment.
What is the Tea Mosquito bug (TMB)?
- Helopeltis theivora Waterhouse or the tea mosquito bug (TMB) is a major sucking pest of tea (Camellia sinensis L.).
- It can be found in most tea-producing countries.
- The nymphs and adults suck the sap from tender leaves, buds and young shoots, which results in heavy crop losses.
United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI)
- It is an apex body of planters of tea, coffee, rubber, pepper and cardamom in the Southern States of India.
More on the news
- The planters have a limited choice of pesticides to control the bug.
- The pest affects both low and high elevation plantations.
- The control is poor due to a lack of effective molecules.
- It may result in huge production losses.
- The Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee approves pesticides for usage in India.
- As several pesticides were removed from the approved list of the Plant Protection Code (PPC) of the Tea Board of India, the choices diminished.
- The pesticides which are also approved for use by the European Union are being sought for the government’s approval for tea plantations.
Tea Board India
- Tea is one of the industries which by an Act of Parliament comes under the control of the Union Govt.
- The Tea Board was set up under Section 4 of the Tea Act 1953 and was constituted on 1st April 1954.
- It is under the control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- It promotes the cultivation, processing, and domestic trade along with the export of tea from India.
Know more about the Tea Board in the linked article.
Way forward: The government must take the necessary steps promptly to address the issues of tea-producing organizations. The use of new pesticides needs to be a well-calculated strategy to avoid any undue damage to the environment and prevent pest resistance.
Tea Mosquito Bug Crisis [UPSC Current Affairs]:- Download PDF Here
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