New Delhi, 08 May (H.S.): Concerns mount among Bihar's farmers over the impending peril to litchi harvests from the litchi stink bug.

Escalating crop devastation has prompted central intervention, with Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announcing a task force to evaluate the infestation.

The Director of the National Litchi Research Centre in Muzaffarpur chairs the nine-member panel, comprising the Director of Horticulture-cum-Bihar State Horticulture Mission and his Bihar government nominee; the Agriculture Department's Director and his nominee; an entomologist from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University; a nominee from Samastipur; Principal Scientist (Entomology) and nominee from Bihar Agricultural University, Bhagalpur; a nominee from the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture; Dr. Jaypal Singh Chaudhary (Scientist); and others.

The decision followed May 7 discussions at a farmers' dialogue hosted by ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture in Lucknow, attended by Chouhan. Litchi growers from Bihar's key districts highlighted deteriorating fruit quality and sharp yield declines due to the pest, inflicting severe economic losses. They demanded an expert task force for assessment, stressing scientific study and effective controls as essential.