Port Blair, March 11: A two days HRD Programme on Vegetable Crops i.e Tomato, Green Chilies, Bottle gourd was conducted by Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC), Port Blair on 10th & 11th March, 2022 at Sitapur, Shahid Dweep. The focus of the programme was on management of major Insect Pests in vegetable crops through IPM practices- Cultural, Mechanical, Biological methods including various Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITKs) of the region.
Shri H.P. Ramesh, Plant Protection Officer (E), CIPMC, Port Blair in his inaugural address emphasized on the importance of Natural enemies in field crops and residual effect of pesticides on vegetables & its perpetuation in Food Chain. He expressed his serious concern over adverse effect of pesticides residues above MRL in vegetable samples consumed in day to day life and highlighted the importance of various IPM/IDM modules in Organic farming for pest and disease management.
Dr. Atul Gawande, APPO (PP) discussed briefly on identification of diseases of vegetable crops and their management through Seed treatment with bio-pesticides and demonstrated types of pheromone/sticky Traps, Trap crops. Dr. Janardan Saikia, APPO(E), discussed about insect life cycle and their management based on crop stages, importance of Tricho-cards for management of insect pests and need of IPM in organic farming.
Dr. Chandan Lal, SCFA, Department of Agriculture, Shahid Dweep expressed his views on biological pest control practices in present day sustainable vegetable farming.
Farmers field visit was conducted at Sitapur village for identification of insect pest, natural enemies and Pheromone trap was installed in pumpkin plot with the help of Sh. Ranjan Bhakta and A. Muttukumar to demonstrate the mass trapping of fruit fly with locally available resources.
Smt. Pinky Das, Gram Panchayath Member, Progressive Farmers Shri Chinta Haran Bishwas, Shri. Samar Biswas, Shri. Panchanan Biswas expressed their experiences about Organic Farming and importance of Natural enemies and honey bees.