Diglipur, Nov 01: The Central Integrated Pest Management centre Port Blair in association with CIARI & Agriculture Department organized a two days training programme for pesticide dealers at Training Hall at Office of the Agriculture at Diglipur today.
Shri. S K Mondal Plant Protection Officer inaugurating the programme and highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing in Integrated Pest Management. During his address he urged to expel spurious pesticide in present scenario, due to which poor and marginal farmers fall prey to such cheap products and end up with low crop yield. He indicated that indiscriminate and injudicious use of pesticides in agriculture system is also a serious environmental hazard.
He appealed to the participants for selection of safer pesticides based on EIQ level. Speaking on this occasion AO Mrs. B L Lathika explained about pesticides with label claims for rice crop in India, WHO Classification, EIQ – concept for selection of safer pesticide, and their safe handling. Highlighting the use of pesticides, she expressed that many pesticides are not easily degradable, they persist in soil, leach to ground, surface water and contaminate environment.
Asst Plant protection officer Shri S C Bairagi said that continued use of pesticide occasionally leads to pests developing resistance to the products and also loss of biodiversity. He further explained that majority of pesticides are not specifically targeting the pest only and during their application they also affect non-target plants and animals.
The CIARI scientists Dr. A.Velmurgan (Sr. Scientist) and Dr. K.Saktivel (Scientist) PP emphasized upon Eco-Friendly Soil Health Management Practices and importance of rhizosphere diversity with the use of safer pesticides or by biopesticides. During programme, pest dealers and farmers interaction session feedback were taken. Tomorrow a field visit will be held jointly by the CIARI scientists, Agriculture Dept. and CIPM officials Chief Guest on this occasion was Zilla Parishad Up- Adhyalsh Shri Subod Mondal and Guest of honour AO Mrs. B L Lathika.
