RODENT MENACE AND ITS MANAGEMENT IN DIGLIPUR, NORTH ANDAMAN - A SUCCESS STORY

Abstract

Andaman and Nicobar islands constitute a chain of 572 Islands stretching from North to South the in Bay of Bengal, midway between peninsular India and Myanmar. The islands are distanced from the mainland by 1200 km, falling within longitude 93°- 94° East and the latitude of 6°– 17° North. Rice is the staple food crop grown in an area of around 8390 ha from Diglipur in north and Campell Bay in the south. The crop is primarily raised during the kharif season from the month of July to October except C14-8 which is a long duration, local variety and is grown for eight months from June to January. Rice grain production in the islands is about 24000 tonnes which is only about one third of the actual consumer requirement. Insect pests and diseases largely affect the crop yield, however in the recent years rodents have assumed a pest status on par with the aforesaid factors.