RAJSHAHI: Large-scale promotion of pheromone traps in farming system could be the effective means of harvesting crops freed from pesticides and harmful chemicals as safe food is very important for sound public health, reports BSS.
Field level agricultural officials and other staffs concerned should come forward and work together so that the farmers could be motivated towards using eco-friendly traps in managing pests.
Administrative and agricultural officials made these observations while visiting a pheromone trap demonstration plot at Boroikuthi area under Mohanpur Upazila of the district on Thursday afternoon.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) has introduced the programme throughout the district to detect the harmful insects in the Aman fields and use the insecticides accordingly to save the crops.
The low-cost method is also helpful for maintaining ecological balance in the fields. They also said the farmers are extremely enthusiastic in using the method because they are reaping benefit from it.
With this venture, light-trap and parching, environmentally sound method for detecting harmful insects especially Brown Plant Hopper (BPH), are helping the farmers in different areas of the district during the current cropping season.
This 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 various crops.
Deputy Commissioner Kazi Ashraf Uddin addressed the discussion as chief guest with Dev Dulal
Dhali, Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture Extension, in the
chair.
Upazila Parisahd Chairman Abdus Samad, District Livestock Officer Nazim Uddin, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Alamgir Kabir and Upazila Agriculture Officers Khayer Uddin Mollah and Monzur-E-Mowla also spoke.
The discussants said production of safe food has become indispensable for sustainable development of the country and there is no alternative to create awareness among all stakeholders in this regards.
Time has come to make the farmers discouraged towards using pesticides and harmful chemicals in farming activities.