Agricultural scientists from KVK stress biological pest control strategies

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: When the entire world is challenged with the great threat of environmental pollution, agricultural scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dibrugarh under Agricultural University Assam - Hemchandra Saikia, Sanghamitra Sharma and Tilok Malaka were seen in the fields of farmers, demonstrating the environment-friendly biological pest control of rice pests at No.2 Charaihabi gaon under Barbaruah Block in Dibrugarh district.

Addressing the participant farmers of several villages, Hemchandra Saikia, an expert in Agricultural Economics, reminded that health was wealth and this would need pollution-free environment and food stuff. "Hence, while continuing our crop cultivation to fulfill food security and economic development, effective steps should be taken at the right time and place to minimize the use of pesticides and chemicals," he said. "The injudicious use of chemicals and pesticides over the years has been contributing to environmental pollution, causing hardship to mankind," he added. He further stated that injudicious use of pesticides might convert a minor pest to a major form of pest to crops, besides polluting the ecosystem and food chain and also killing the beneficial insect pests, which ultimately would hamper both agricultural output and sound human health. As there is a growing demand for organically produce output of agricultural crops in the entire world, KVK scientist Saikia stressed biological control of pests affecting crop cultivation

Sanghamitra Sharma, who is expert in entomology, demonstrated how to use biological pest control strategies against rice pests like rice stem borer and leaf folder with the use of pheromone trap and use of neem oil spray. The scientists also explained other means of eco-friendly rice pest control measures like use of 'T' shaped bamboo technology through which various birds used to eat various pests of rice by sitting in the T fitted in the rice field. They also urged farmers to go for multiple crop cultivation to enhance their total farm income in order to lead a respectable standard of living.

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