RANGPUR, Apr 09: Due to the remarkable success achieved in pest control by applying 'light-trap' method, the peasants in different areas under Rangpur district have become enthusiastic about using the eco-friendly method on their crop fields.
The farmers of the region are getting interested in using the method, instead of toxic pesticides, to protect their paddy fields from pest attack. They are also financially benefited due to its low cost in comparison with harmful pesticides.
As indiscriminate use of toxic pesticides threatens ecology, the field level agriculture officers of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) began motivating the farmers and helping them with all necessary inputs to apply the eco-friendly light-trap technology. The farmers have already got good results using the method during the current season.
DAE official sources said light-trap is a natural pest management method of paddy crops that requires a lantern, charger light or electric bulb attached with a stick and a pot with detergent and kerosene mixed clear water. The pot is put under the lights in order to lure the insects. Different types of pests are attracted to light, fall into water in the pot and die. Types of pest, which were about to attack the field can also be identified by this method as well.
During Boro and Aman paddy farming season every year, farmers face serious pest attack. They have to spend additional money to thwart their attack, because during this time the attack of pests including brown plant hopper increases alarmingly.
Expressing their satisfaction several farmers of different areas in the region told the FE that they could not think of any alternative way to control pest except pesticide before. But DAE showed them that pests could also be controlled naturally without using any insecticide.
Earlier, farmers had to spend about Tk 500 to Tk 700 for purchasing pesticides for one bigha of land but they are now able to save money using the effective natural method, they added.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Rangpur official sources said that the department has no way but to promote such natural method to protect the soil fertility and ecological balance which are now under serious threat owing to indiscriminate uses of pesticides.
The officials of the department are motivating the growers to bring gradually all the paddy fields of the region under such eco-friendly technologies so that the farmers can produce paddy without applying insecticides, sources added.
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