Promotion on use of biopesticides in horticultural crops through KVK interventions

Abstract

Pesticide application by the farmers is the main factor causing environmental distress leading to poor soil health along with resurgence of pests and diseases. The farmers are shifting towards the use of bio products due to increase in pesticide costs. In this regard, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kancheepuram conducted training programmes, demonstrations, awareness camps and Kisan melas with exhibitions about the importance and application of biopesticides in crops. The present study focuses the extent of knowledge gained by the farmers, adoption percentage, pattern of application of the biopesticides in horticultural crops and constraints faced by the farmers. The data was collected using structured questionnaire during 2020 to 2022 covering five blocks of the district. Field visits and Farmer-Scientist interaction meetings conducted to assess the impact of KVK interventions. The results indicated that training programmes conducted by KVK catered the high level of information about biopesticides (50.42%). Adoption level (39%) was observed to be more in vegetable crops compared to flowers (9%). As many horticultural crops are prone to soil borne diseases, forty-three per cent of the farmers adopted soil applications of Trichoderma (2.5 kg/ha) followed by seed treatment @ 4gm/kg (40%). Verticillium (33.33%) foliar application against sucking pests followed by Beauveria bassiana (30%) was mainly done for borers in Brinjal and Bhendi. Bio- nematicide application was less (7%) due to its limited availability in the locality. The farmers satisfactory level was high as the chemical application cost was much reduced (Rs.9958/ha) along with Benefit cost ratio increase. It can be concluded that the use of biopesticides against pest and disease management in crops are gaining importance and further the farmers can be encouraged for its applications for environmentally friendly ecosystem.