IMD’s Agrimet division has advised farmers in Odisha to spray pesticides to control stem borer, case worm and leaf folder attacks on the paddy crop. The rising population of such insects might stunt plant growth and hit yields. Insect attacks are common when the weather turns humid after rains. Odisha is among the leading growers of paddy in the country, and accounts for around 10% of the overall crop. In the Jun-Sep monsoon so far, the state has received 4% below-normal rains.