Looper Caterpillar Infestation Wipes Out Tea Crops in Jhapa

Tea plantations in Jhapa are facing a crisis due to an infestation of looper caterpillars. The insects have consumed most of the tea leaves, leaving only bare twigs behind. This has led to a significant decline in tea production, with many farmers struggling to make ends meet.

Dilliram Khanal, a 65-year-old farmer from Bhadrapur-1, had invested heavily in his tea garden but is now facing financial ruin. 'I started this cultivation with great effort by sowing seeds in 2062 BS,' he said. 'Now, when I enter the garden, instead of greenery, I see only leafless dry twigs all over the trees and on the ground.'

The infestation has also had a devastating impact on local tea processing factories. The factories are now operating at a loss due to the shortage of raw materials, with many workers facing unemployment. Former chairman of Small Farmers Tea Processing Industry, Chandra Tamang, described this infestation as an epidemic that will finish both farmers and industries.

Local governments and relevant government agencies have acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and appealed to the provincial government for help. A team of farmers has also arrived in Biratnagar to appeal to the government for technical consultation and relief.