RAJSHAHI, Sept 21, 2020 (BSS) – Using various eco-friendly pest management methods in farming fields of transplanted Aman paddy has become visible as many farmers have started adopting the method in the region including its vast Barind tract.
During the current season, many farmers have seen adopting the parching method which contributes a lot towards lessening demands of chemical pesticides.
District and Upazila offices of Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) side by side with the research entities concerned are providing technical support to the farmers for coping with this method.
Monwar Hossain, a farmer of Rajabari village under Godagari, has cultivated Aman paddy on seven bighas of land. He has started using parching method. “Parching method has multidimensional benefits,” he said.
Shafiqul Islam, Upazila Agriculture Officer, said light-trap and parching are environmentally sound method for detecting harmful insects especially Brown Plant Hopper (BPH).
Eco-friendly ‘light-trap’ method as an alternative to pesticides control getting popular among the farmers at different villages as they are attaining significant success in pest management on transplanted Aman paddy.
He said the low-cost method is helpful for maintaining ecological balance in the fields. The farmers are extremely enthusiastic in using the method because they are reaping benefit from it.
DAE officials have introduced the programme in the region to detect the harmful insects in the Aman fields and use the insecticides accordingly to save the crops.
Sudendra Nath Roy, Additional Director of DAE, said around 3,500 light traps were set besides imparting training to more than 7,500 farmers in the region comprising Rajshahi, Naogaon, Natore and Chapainawabganj districts.
The farmers set the light-traps at night with kerosene lamp, charger light or electric bulb and place a pot with detergent or kerosene mixed water under the light.
The light attracts the insects that die after falling into the pot. If harmful insects are found, experts advise the farmers to adopt effective pest control method.
Normally farmers apply costly insecticides in the paddy fields, killing all the insects including the useful insects, and causing environmental degradation.
But when the harmful insects are detected through the light-trap method, they can save money by applying a cheaper insecticide to kill that particular pest as per the expert’s suggestion.
Meanwhile, the DAE has set a target of producing more than 22.19 lakh metric tons of transplanted aman rice from 7.67 lakh hectares of land in all eight districts under Rajshahi division this season.
Agriculturist Sudhen Roy said low cost light-trap programme has been promoted among the farmers for the last couple of years to manage pest effectively. This year they are giving more emphasis on the programme.
DAE high officials recently visited different parts of the district to see the management of BPH through the light trap method.
He mentioned that the farmers face pest attack during September and October months. They need to spend a lot to get rid of all insects.
Through using the light-trap and parching they can control harmful insects and take proper pest control measure, which is cheaper and environment-friendly.
This method has reduced indiscriminate use of pesticides by 50 per cent and the farmers are also learning to identify useful insects in the paddy fields.