IMD’s Agrimet has warned that present weather conditions in Madhya Pradesh are highly favourable for incidence of blast disease in paddy. Blast and brown spot on the paddy leaves indicate attack of blast disease, which needs to be addressed at earliest to avoid any damage. Farmers have been advised to keep an eye and spray pesticides if the infestation is spotted after spells of rain. Sowing of paddy in Madhya Pradesh, one of the largest growers, was at 869,000 ha, up 35% on year.