Farmers in 10 select villages in the district will produce bio-control agents with to restore the conventional method of cultivation free from pesticides.
The programme being implemented at an estimate of Rs. 9.75 lakh had been sanctioned under the State Balanced Growth Fund scheme of the State Planning Commission.
The programme was to be implemented in Venkatakrishnapuram, Thelur, Nagamangalam, Dhalavai, Ayyanthathanur, Melanikuzhi, T. Solankurichi, Karaikurichi, Anaikudam, and Muttuvancherry.
The people of the village would produce bio-control agents such as Trichoderma viride, Trichogramma chilonis, Reduviid bugs, and fruit-fly traps.
“Plant health management and sustainability in irrigation by avoiding indiscriminate use of pesticide is the main agenda of the programme,” said N Pannerselvam, Joint Director of Agriculture.
Select farmers from these 10 villages had undergone training in making the bio-control agents at the National Institute of Plant Health Management in Hyderabad. Farmers interest groups (FIG) have been formed in all the villages. “Our mission is to increase usage of bio control agents in agriculture and to reduce the usage of harmful chemical pesticides and thereby increase returns for farmers,” said Mr. Pannerselvam.
The objective of the programme was to produce non-toxic food grains through adoption of ecological engineering based PHM and AESA agri eco-system analysis based IPM approaches
Bio intensive approach had come to stay in the present-day scenario. Farmers using bio-cultivation strategy, earned more profit.
A capacity-building training to Farmers Interest Groups was organised recently about 45 farmers are trained by Department and NIPHM trained master trainer’s.
N. Paneerselvam, Joint Director of Agriculture, stressed on sustainability and forthcoming marketing support.
K. Muralidharan, Assistant Director Quality Control, demonstrated on Agro Eco System analysis.
R. Mohan, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Ariyalur, spoke on farm production of Trichoderma viride.
D. Rajendran, agricultural officer, demonstrated skill development.
Source : The Hindu
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