Demonstration on Innovative Technologies for Organic Insect Pest Management held at Gurez

BANDIPORA, JULY 25: A one-day Training cum demonstration programme was conducted at Dangithal Tulial by SKUAST Kashmir for dissemination of recent innovative technologies to farmers for controlling severe resurgence of insect pests viz., cutworm, white grub, aphids etc. on various vegetable crops including peas, potato etc.

The programme was conducted on the directions of the Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganie and instructions imparted by the Director Research SKUAST-Kashmir Prof. Haroon Ahmad Naik during his recent visit to the Gurez valley while spotting the severe pest attack to vegetable crops.

The biocontrol methods of insect pest control strategies were recommended by the experts of SKUAST-Kashmir Prof. Akhtar Ali Khan and Prof. Barkat Hussain, Division of Entomology besides Vegetable Crop Expert Dr. Khursheed Hussain, Associate Professor cum Sr. Scientist, Division of Vegetable Science with an active support of MAR&ES, Izmarg and KVK Dawar team led by Incharge Head Dr. Hilal Ahmad Malik.

On spot demonstration kits were distributed among more than 30 farmers for field trials which included Pheromone Traps and Sticky Traps free of cost under the HADP project, ‘Promotion of Vegetables/ Exotic Vegetables’ funded by JK Govt.

Gurez is a completely organic/ agri production zone and non-chemical approaches were demonstrated and recommended by the visiting scientists to curtail the pest attack below economic threshold level using bio pesticides and botanicals.

Dr. Hilal Ahmad Malik in a virtual statement informed that the Director Extension Prof Dil Mohammad Mukhdoomi has desired farmers especially of Gurez valley to take the full advantage of the services and technologies being provided by SKUAST-K and further added that treatment and control of insect, pests or diseases at Gurez needs to be taken care through organic approaches and prototypes designed by the University for the purpose taking into account the heritage, fragility of area, climatic factors and diversity.