IMD’s Agrimet has advised farmers in Andhra Pradesh to spray pesticides to control the spread of stem borer and leaf folder pests in the rabi paddy crop. The present weather is favourable for the spread of these pests in paddy, which is at the tillering stage. The agency has recommended that growers survey the crop and spray pesticides if the infestation increases. The stem borer pest feeds on the internal tissues of the stem and leaves, and the leaf folder pest feeds on leaves. Pests, if not treated in time, hit the yield