Paddy farmers across the state are battling pest-infected crops and many have given up the battle and set fire to the crop, incurring huge losses. In addition, the input price has increased. Both pesticides and seeds have become costly and the cost for using paddy cutting machines has also increased. The crop has been affected by a pest called brown planthopper (BPH); agriculture scientists say unfavourable weather conditions have caused the pest to proliferate. There was heavy rainfall towards the end of the season, which left the standing crop damp, resulting in large-scale breeding of mosquitoes and other pests, especially the brown plant hopper. Farmers are burning the pest-infected paddy in order to reduce losses and prevent the pest from spreading further. Three paddy farmers burnt their paddy crop in 50 acres to prevent spread of the pest to neighbouring fields in Chirrakunta village in Mandamarri mandal in Mancherial district.