Centre's Spices Board today conducted a meeting with Scientists and crop experts to chalk out strategies to tackle Thrips outbreak in Chilli crop in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Chairman, Chilli Task Force Committee, G.V.L. Narasimha Rao emphasized to focus on developing advisories for farmers on Good Agriculture Practices. He said that recommendations of  affordable materials like blue sticky trap and cultivation of short duration chilli varieties should be provided so that farmers can manage and survive the pest attack till a firm strategy against the pest is prepared.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">  Mr. Rao requested ICAR- Indian Institute of Horticultural Research to screen for chilli varieties that are resistant to thrips attack from the affected plots. He also directed them to screen existing molecules which can be used against thrips and identify natural enemies of thrips with the help of other institutes. Taking note of all the observations made during the meeting, Mr. Rao asked Indian Institute of Horticultural Research  and Spices Board to conduct joint training programmes to impart knowledge on Good Agricultural Practices and emphasize on judicious usage of pesticides, use of Integrated Pest Management techniques and  adoption of good hygienic practices in the field.</span><br />