KILL THE PESTS, NOT YOURSELF

KILL THE PESTS, NOT YOURSELF

Pesticides, as its name suggests, it is intended to kill pests. But does it mean it kill only pests? Of course not. It is obvious that it is toxic, and so its greater amounts in even humans can be fatal. Continued exposure or indirect consumption of these can cause a variety of adverse health effects, ranging from simple irritation of skin and eyes, to chronic endocrine and reproductive disorders, brain disorders, liver and kidney damage, cancer, etc.. In addition, they also pose serious threats to environment, and natural pollinators.

The consumption of pesticides in India is one of the lowest in the world. However, despite the low consumption of pesticides, India has more problem of pesticide residues than other countries. This serious issue of pesticide residue in food and agricultural products that we encounter now is mainly due to the lack of awareness and lack of aggressive educational programmes for farmers. They often go for more persistent pesticides, as they give them quick results. What they did not realize is that the toxicity from these pesticides can even remain and build up in our body. As they are persistent, they can cause even birth defects in new born babies, which we have already seen in endosulphan affected areas.

However, pointing out these threats, we cannot always suggest the complete avoidance of pesticides as the best remedy to farmers, especially large scale farmers, as it helps in rapid control or eradication of the main villains in crop growth. So what we should do? Simple. Educate and monitor the farmers for judicious and scientific use of safer pesticides.

Government has already banned many pesticides for manufacture and use in India, while some are restricted for use. But it doesn’t mean that the pesticides that are permitted now for use are safer ones. Some of the pesticides which are now in use in India are either banned or severely restricted in other countries. Shockingly, many of the farmers are still using some of the banned pesticides like furadan (carbofuran), which I have seen many times during my field visits to farmers. I have seen carbofuran granules applied on banana suckers to prevent the viral infection, and what they are saying is that it will be effectively controlled only if you apply a more toxic one. That wrong notion of such farmers is due to lack of awareness. Every farmer should be made aware of the banned pesticides, and the ill effects that a toxic pesticide can cause.

Pesticides banned in India

Ø  Pesticides Banned for manufacture, import and use (28 Nos.)

1.      Aldrin

2.      Benzene Hexachloride

3.      Calcium Cyanide

4.      Chlordane

5.      Copper Acetoarsenite

6.      CIbromochloropropane

7.      Endrin

8.      Ethyl Mercury Chloride

9.      Ethyl Parathion

10.  Heptachlor

11.  Menazone

12.  Nitrofen

13.  Paraquat Dimethyl Sulphate

14.  Pentachloro Nitrobenzene

15.  Pentachlorophenol

16.  Phenyl Mercury Acetate

17.  Sodium Methane Arsonate

18.  Tetradifon

19.  Toxafen

20.  Aldicarb

21.  Chlorobenzilate

22.  Dieldrine

23.  Maleic Hydrazide

24.  Ethylene Dibromide

25.  TCA (Trichloro acetic acid)

26.  Metoxuron

27.  Chlorofenvinphos

28.  Lindane

Ø  Pesticide / Pesticide formulations banned for use but their manufacture is allowed for export (2 Nos.)

1.      Nicotin Sulfate

2.      Captafol 80% Powder

Ø  Pesticide formulations banned for import, manufacture and use (4 Nos.)

1.      Methomyl 24% L

2.      Methomyl 12.5% L

3.      Phosphamidon 85% SL

4.      Carbofuron 50% SP

Ø  Pesticide Withdrawn(7 Nos)

1.      Dalapon

2.      Ferbam

3.      Formothion

4.      Nickel Chloride

5.      Paradichlorobenzene (PDCB)

6.      Simazine

7.      Warfarin

Ø  Pesticides Restricted for use in India

1.      Aluminium Phosphide (Allowed for rat control, 3g tablets in rat burrows)

2.      DDT (Banned in agriculture)

3.      Lindane (Restricted use allowed in termite control only upto 24-03-2015)

4.      Methyl Bromide (Allowed only under strict supervision)

5.      Methyl Parathion (Restricted use allowed in crops where honey bees are not acting as pollinators)

6.      Sodium Cyanide (Only for fumigation of cotton bales under strict supervision)

7.      Methoxy Ethyl Mercuric Chloride (MEMC) (only for seed treatment of potato and sugarcane)

8.      Monocrotophos(Banned for use on vegetables)

9.      Endosulfan (Banned in Kerala)

10.  Fenitrothion (Banned in agriculture except for locust control and in public health)

11.  Diazinon (Banned in agriculture except for household pest control)

12.  Fenthion (Banned in agriculture except for locust control, house hold pest control and public health)

13.  Dazomet (Banned in tea)

(Source: cibrc.gov.in)

 Substitutes for pesticides banned by Govt. of Kerala

Insecticides

Ø  Green labelled (Slightly toxic)

Recommended chemical	Substitute for banned chemical	Recommended for the crops
1.      Flubendiamide (Fame)	Carbofuran, Phorate, Methyl Parathion, Monocrotophos, Triazophos	Pests of rice, and vegetables
2.      Chlorantraniliprole (Coragen)	Phorate, Methyl Parathion, Monocrotophos, Triazophos	Pests of rice and vegetables
3.      Azadirachtin	Carbofuran	Sucking pests of brinjal

Ø  Blue labelled (Moderately toxic)

Recommended chemical	Substitute for banned chemical	Recommended for the crops
1.      Thiomethoxam	Carbofuran, Phorate, Methyl Parathion, Monocrotophos	Pests of rice
2.      Acephate	Carbofuran, Methyl Parathion	Pests of rice
3.      Spinosad	Carbofuran, Triazophos	Sucking pests of Brinjal, Rice leaf folder
4.      Diafenthiuron	Monocrotophos	Cardamom thrips and pod borer

Ø  Yellow labelled (Highly toxic)

Recommended chemical	Substitute for banned chemical	Recommended for the crops
1.      Carbaryl	Endosulfan, Methyl parathion, Monocrotophos	Pests of rice
2.      Quinalphos	Endosulfan,  Phorate, Methyl parathion, Monocrotophos	Pests of rice, Cardamom thrips
3.      Carbosulfan	Carbofuran, Phorate	Nematodes, pests of rice
4.      Dimethoate	Carbofuran	Banana aphids
5.      Cartap hydrochloride	Carbofuran, Phorate, Methyl parathion, Monocrotophos, Triazophos	Pests of rice
6.      Fipronil	Carbofuran, Phorate, Methyl parathion, Monocrotophos, Triazophos	Pests of rice
7.      Imidacloprid	Carbofuran, Methyl parathion	Pests of rice
8.      Chlorpyrifos	Methyl parathion, Monocrotophos	Pests of rice
9.      Phenthoate	Monocrotophos	Cardamom thrips and pod borer

Fungicides

Ø  Green labelled (Slightly toxic)

Recommended chemical	Substitute for banned chemical	Recommended for the crops
1.      Carbendazim	Ediphenphos, Tricyclazole (seed treatment)	Rice blast, brown leaf spot, sheath rot and sheath blight
2.      Carpropamid	Ediphenphos	Rice blast
3.      Kresoxim methyl	Ediphenphos	Rice blast and sheath blight
4.      Pencycuron	Ediphenphos	Rice sheath blight
5.      Biocontrol with Pseudomonas fluorescens	Tricyclazole	Rice blast (seed treatment)

Ø  Blue labelled (Moderately toxic)

Recommended chemical	Substitute for banned chemical	Recommended for the crops
1.      Tebuconazole	Ediphenphos	Rice blast
2.      Isoprothiolane	Ediphenphos	Rice blast
3.      Flusilazole	Ediphenphos	Rice sheath blight
4.      Hexaconazole	Ediphenphos	Rice sheath blight
5.      Iprodione	Ediphenphos	Rice sheath blight
6.      Propineb	Ediphenphos	Rice brown leaf spot
7.      Carboxin	Ediphenphos	Rice sheath rot

Herbicides

Recommended chemical	Toxicity class	Substitute for banned chemical	Recommended for the crops
1.      Glyphosate	Blue	Paraquat	Non crop situation
2.      Butachlor	Blue	Anilophos, Thiobencarb	Rice
3.      Pretilachlor	Blue	Anilophos, Thiobencarb	Rice
4.      Diuron	Blue	Atrazin	Sugarcane

Educating farmers on need based use of recommended pesticides, correct application techniques, observance of prescribed waiting period, and practicing IPM is very necessary to avoid unscientific use of hazardous pesticides. Thus we can make sure we are feeding our children not poisons.



                                                                                                                      ANCHANA.V.V

LEADS; To lead

LEADS; To lead

LEADS (Lead Farmer Oriented Extension Advisory Services) project is a new agricultural extension programme  implemented on a pilot basis in four districts In Kerala ie. Kollam, Palakkad, Kannur and Wayanad. The institutions involved in the implementation of the progarmme are Department of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, IIITMK and SAMETI.

 In order to revitalize the present system of agricultural extension, a concept of Frontier extension system revolved around Lead Farmer-Satellite Farmer Concept on an Agro-Ecological Zone basis within a district is proposed for pilot testing. The lead farmers are an important agent in the chain of transfer of technology in agriculture. We have not fully utilized the services of lead farmers for technology dissemination in the state. The concept is based on scientific delineation of the districts into Agro Ecological Zones (AEZ) and Agro Ecological Units (AEU). Farmers are the end users of all agricultural technology. Agricultural development depends on adoption of scientific technology by farmers and hence the technology should reach the farmers in time

 Objectives

1. To utilize the potential of Lead Farmers for transfer of technology.

2. To solve the field level problems through regular visit by technical officers.

3. To introduce a regular and systematic field visit oriented extension system in the state, integrating ATMA.

4. To intervene and advise farmers through the preparation of Monthly technology Advice with the support of KVK, Research Stations and Development specialists.

5. Generation of location specific Technologies through Participatory Technology Development (PTD).

6. Technology refinement through Frontline Demonstrations (FLD’s) and On Farm Trials (OFT’s).

7. Facilitating expert level consultation through audio conferencing.

8. Constitution of multidisciplinary team in research institution for field visit on demand.

9. To enhance technical knowledge of field level technical officers.

10. To develop a farm net work of extension teams, Lead Farmers and farmer groups at district level.

11. To implement the programme with certain modifications based on the experiences of the programmes in the pilot districts.

Salient features

1. Regular field visit oriented extension system.

2. The Project is implemented in 266 Panchayats of the four districts and 798 Lead Farmers and 798 Satellite Farmer Groups has to be formed at the rate of three groups per Panchayat each group comprising of 10 selected farmers for effective technology dissemination.

3. Mobile based communications and audio conferencing system are utilised for technology transfer.

4. Monthly Technology Advice (MTA)  prepared at the nodal institution with the support of the associating institution identified for the project, officials of the department of Agriculture and other support organizations. 

5. The Regular field visit is done by Field Assistants The Agricultural Officer and Agricultural Assistant will conduct at least one visit each per month to the field of Lead Farmer.

6. The project districts is divided into two Agro Ecological Zones (AEZ) and each Agro Ecological Zone will be divided into two Agro Ecological Units (AEU). Visit schedule as well as technology advice for every month is prepared on Agro Ecological Unit-wise.

7. The crops suggested for implementation during the pilot phase are paddy, coconut, vegetables and banana.

8. The Kerala Agricultural university is closely associated with the project and KVK Kollam, RARS Pattambi , KVK Kannur and KVK Ambalavayal are the nodal institution for the project for preparing monthly technology advice, need based field visit through a Multi Disciplinary Team, expert consultation and technology refinement. The FSRS Kollam, KVK Palakkad, RARS (Northern Region) Pilicode, Kasaragode and RARS Wayanad are the associating institutions.

9. The Lead Farmers, groups of satellite farmers, department officials of the Krishi Bhavans, block level Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors and other associating officials, Field Assistants, Technology Managers, nodal institutions and associating institutions are provided with BSNL mobile phones with prepaid connections under the CUG net work for audio consultations. The SMS based advisory service is also implemented in association with Kissan project.

10. The technology refinement part of the project are implemented by the institutions under the KAU. The FSRS Kollam, RARS Pattambi, RARS Pilicode and RARS Wayanad of KAU implements the Participatory Technology Development (PTD) and KVK Kollam, KVK Palakkad, KVK Kannur and KVK Wayanad are implemented the On Farm Trial (OFT) and Front Line Demonstration (FLD). The OFT and FLD is done as far as possible in the field of Lead Farmer and Satellite Farmer.

11. The Project Director (ATMA) is the nodal officer of the project in the district and the Assistant Directors and Agricultural Officers are closely involved in the project.

In order to ensure the effective implementation of the programme the following activities should be implemented.

1. Quarterly meet of LEAD farmers should be organized at Block level in association with the nodal institution identified in each district. The quarterly meet should be convened by the Assistant Director of Agriculture at block level. Panchayat level and District level workshop should be conducted.

2. The Monthly Technology Advice (MTA) should be prepared at the nodal institution before the 25th of every month.

3. There should not be any change in the field visit schedule finalized for a month

4. Capacity building and awareness programmes should be conducted at District Level

Selection of Lead farmers / Satellite farmers

Three lead farmers are to be selected from each Panchyat and a group of 10 farmers around lead farmers have to be selected for the implementation of the project. Award winners if any in the panchayat, such farmers could be identified as the lead farmer. Income optimizing or yield maximizing farmers could be identified. One farmer in each group could be designated as technology leader. The Lead Farmers could be the best achievers of the Panchyat in terms of yield or income from unit area and should be the models. Farmers having effective communication skills and willing to spare time for group visit and technology transfer should be selected as lead farmers. Selection

criteria for Lead Farmers /Satellite Farmers

The criteria for selection of Lead Farmers /Satellite Groups are given below.

1. Farmers with diversified cropping pattern and allied activities having minimum 50 cent land under cultivation should be considered. He should be an occupant of the same Panchayat.

2. Should have good communication skill, socially acceptable and innovative.

3. Willing to devote time to spare for interacting with satellite farmers.

4. Minimum 50% of the income should be from agriculture alone.

5. Should have the tendency of keeping records of yield, income etc.

6. Award winning farmers, best achievers in terms of maximum crop productivity or income from unit area, those honoured during Chingam 1 (Karshaka dhinam) celebrations etc. can be identified as Lead Farmers.

7. He should adopt latest agricultural technology in his field and maintain his field as a technology demonstration plot.

8. Lead Farmer should be preferably a member of the existing group like Padasekhara Samithi/ Coconut clusters/ VFPCK group etc. and interested in group management.

9. Farmers interested in group activity and sharing of experience and achievements with others may be brought in to the Satellite Farmer Group.

10. The Satellite Farmers should be willing to adopt the new technologies.

11. The Satellite Farmer Group after one year may be registered as Commodity Interest Group (CIG) in Krishi Bhavans under ATMA/ similar schemes.

12. The Agricultural Officers of the Krishi Bhavan should select the Lead Farmers of the Panchayat and get the approval of the committee consisting of the Standing Committee Chairman (Development), Assistant Director of Agriculture of the Block and the concerned Agricultural Officer.

LEADS is undoubtedly a benefit to the farmers, since technology dissemination to the farmers is effective in this. Earlier, there was a barrier in transfer of new technologies from lab to land, but LEADS broke the barriers. So it is of no doubt that the project implemented on pilot basis is a good innovative one and it will turn out to be a great success among farmer. 

New gen pesticides

NEW GEN PESTICIDES

One of the major threats faced by the environment and humans nowadays is due to the use of harmful conventional pesticides. Spraying chemicals on crops is intended to kill the pests and to preserve yields, but if it comes out to compromise the human health, then we’re spelling double trouble here. Though many of the red and yellow labelled pesticides are already banned for use and import in India, most of the pesticides that are now in use are not at all safe, of which some are either banned or severely restricted in other countries. Inspite of the issue of poisoning to humans and mammals, they also pose other serious issues like development of tolerance in insect pests, pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables, bio magnification etc. Since some group of  pesticides dissolve in fats and are not excreted, organisms tend to retain it almost indefinitely. Biological magnification is the process whereby the pesticides are more concentrated at each level of the food chain. In order to reduce negative impacts, it is desirable that pesticides be degradable or at least quickly deactivated in the environment. So it is the need of ours to develop new alternate safer solutions.

Researchers, with the help of farmers in the field have been desperately trying to develop new safer insecticides that can ward off the pests looking to claim their crops, but with minimal side effects. Thus came some novel, new generation pesticides, which prove to be far more efficient and safer than the conventional pesticides. They are excellent partners in IPM programs, and some of the green labelled pesticides are even recommended in organic farming.

Benefits of new generation pesticides over conventional ones

New generation pesticides work with a varying degree of effectiveness. Conventional insecticides (especially organophosphates and carbamates) attacked the general organ systems of insects. Remember that insects and humans have similar reproductive, enzyme, and nervous systems. This commonality made old insecticides highly toxic to even non target organisms including humans. Interestingly, the novel pesticides are highly selective and more tissue specific, which are activated in unique ways inside the target cells of insects, for example, many of them kill the pest by muscle contraction, which is unique in insects, resulting in reduced threat to other organisms. Also they have low persistence or residual effect. So it is safer to natural enemies, humans and other mammals.

Unlike conventional pesticides, they are narrow spectrum insecticides, requiring only very low dosage for pest control. For instance, the dosage of a new gen pesticide is 1 ml/10L water, whereas it may be 10ml/L water in the case of conventional pesticides.

Among these, Flubendamide (Fame, Takumi), and Chlorantraniliprole (Coragen) are green labelled insecticides, that means it can be recommended even in organic farming, and also in polyhouse cultivation.

Insecticides recommended for major pests in vegetables

Ø  Pod borers, stem borers, leaf feeders

(cowpea, chilli, brinjal, cucurbits)

Fame (0.1 ml/L), Coragen (0.1-0.3ml/L), Avaunt (1ml/L)

Ø  Sucking pests

(Aphids, white flies, jassids in chilli, tomato, bhindi, brinjal, cabbage)

      Pride, Tata manika (0.1g/L), Confidor (0.3ml/L), Actara (0.3g/L), Avaunt (1ml/L)

Ø  Mites (chilli,brinjal)

Oberon (0.8-1 ml/L) – Very effective against chilli mites, Mitigate, sedna (0.6ml/L), Actara (0.3g/L)

 Vegetable producers across the state should be aware about both the efficacy and environmental impact of insecticides before use in order to promote sustainable agriculture. They should be made aware about persistent and hazardous insecticides, and should encourage them to use more safer new gen insecticides over conventional pesticides. But only problem that may make the farmers reluctant to go for new gen insecticides is its price, which comes around Rs.147 per 50 ml (confidor) and Rs.1650 per 100 ml (fame), whereas a conventional insecticide cost only Rs.37 per 100 ml (radar). But you should remember already mentioned point that the dosage required is comparatively very low, when dosage of a conventional pesticide is 10 ml/L, it is only 1 ml/10L in the case of a new gen pesticide. You should choose whether to go for a cheap hazardous pesticide or an expensive safer pesticide. For making the farmers distinguish the differences, awareness is the most needed.



                                                                                                                            ANCHANA.V.V

Organic tonics for soil fertility management

Organic tonics for soil fertility management

Organic farming is the sustainable agriculture system that will not harm our environment. In Integrated Nutrient Management also, organic methods should be incorporated more to reduce the use of chemicals and its ill effects. In organic farming, soil nutrient management can be done through the use of several organic manures, biofertilizers etc. Lets know about Jeevamrutham and Fish amino acid that can be used effectively for soil fertility management.

Jeevamrutham

Farmers prepare organic tonics for the soil like Jeevamrutham for organic soil fertility management.  It is a traditional organic fertilizer which works as a cool drink for plants.  It is an organic culture (microbial preparation) that enhances the microbial population in the soil and thus helps in improving soil fertility.

It can be used as a fertilizer for each plant for every week. It boosts the plant growth and gives good yield. We need to use the prepared one with in one week of preparation. Also it is important that, once we use Jeevamrutham, we shouldn’t water the plants for 12 hrs.

Method of  Preparation

Requirements for 10liters of jeevamrutham

1. 1/2 litre Cow Urine

2. 1/2 K.g Cow Dung

3. 100 gms Jaggery

4. 100 gms Basin Powder/ Black-eyed peas or cow peas Powder

5. 30g of Top soil

Procedure

1. In 2 and 1/2 litre water , mix cow dung, urine Jaggery and cowpea powder. Stir the contents with stick. Make sure no lumps are there in the liquid.

2. In this add 7 litres of water so that will get 10 litres of liquid.

3. Keep this container outside under the shade/ under the tree. Tie it with some cotton cloth over it.

4. Stir the  liquid in the container every day in morning and evening for about 15 minutes.

5. Jeevamrutham will be preaperd in 48 hrs, Can use directly to plants.

FISH AMINO ACID

Fish amino acid is an effective organic fertilizer made from fish wastes .It increases the soil fertility and there by improve the plant health. It is liquid manure essential for the uptake of nitrogen and also enhance the growth of micro organisms .It contain essential amino acids, chelated calcium , phosphorus ,and other nutrients .It is produced by fermenting fresh fish bi products with brown sugar .  The filtered solution are diluted and then applied to the field . Weekly spraying of fish amino acid will improve yield of the crop. Its production is economic and easy.

METHOD OF PREPERATION OF FAA

Ingredients

Fish – 1kg

Jaggery – 1kg

Plastic bottle 

Muslin cloth

Preparation

a.       Cut the 1kg fish (preferably sardine) into small pieces & put this into a air tight plastic container.

b.      Slice equal quantity of jaggery (1kg) & mix well into the plastic bottle.

c.       Air tight the bottle and store it in a cool dry place and avoid direct sunlight.

d.      After 30 days , filter the above solution using muslin cloth.

e.       A viscous brown coloured fluid will be obtained and this can  be used after dilution with water for field application.

APPLICATION

1.      It can be used in conjunction with other natural forming inputs

2.      It can be applied either as foliar spray or soil drench with  10 %dilution.

PRECAUTION

·         Do not apply FAA, if plants are at reproductive stages.

·         Avoid spray application during full sunlight hours to prevent foliar burning and evaporation of the solution.

Composite organic manure

COMPOSITE ORGANIC MANURE

Considering the harmful effects of the chemicals that cause on humans and environment, sustainable organic farming is much recommended. In organic farming, organic manures supplement the nutrients to the crops. Manures, are plant and animal wastes that are used as sources of plant nutrients. They release nutrients after their decomposition. Manures are the organic materials derived from animal, human and plant residues which contain plant nutrients in complex organic form.

Organic manures are natural products used by farmers to provide food (plant nutrients) to the crop plants. There are a number of organic manures like farmyard manure, green manure, compost prepared from crop residues and other farm wastes, vermicompost, oil cakes and biological wastes- animal bones, slaughter house refuse. It increases the organic matter content of the soil.

Organic manures have low nutrient content and therefore need to be applied in larger quantities. Due to this several organic manures are mixed together at fixed proportions thereby making composite organic manures. This ensures the availability of different nutrients to the soil.

ADVANTAGES

1)      Comparatively high nutrient content than organic manures alone

2)      Ensures the availability of several nutrients to the soil

3)      Need not be applied in bulk quantities

4)      Enhance the microbes in the soil

5)      Enhances the nutrient content of the soil

6)      Improves the soil structure and fertility of the soil

PROCEDURE

For the preparation of composite organic manure, first we have to select the raw materials. Considering the crop requirement and the nutrient content of each raw material, decide upon their required quantities. Weigh each of the raw materials separately. Sieve the coarse components before weighing them. After that mix the components uniformly.

DIFFERENT COMPOSITE ORGANIC MANURES AND THEIR COMPOSITION

COMPOSITE MANURE I

  Raw materials :-

·         Poultry manure 50%

·         Groundnut cake 30%

·         Rock dust 19%

·         Microbial consortium 1%

  Nutrient status :- N-3.08%, P-0.39%, K-0.88%

  Shelf life :-  3 months

COMPOSITE MANURE II

  Raw materials :-

·         Coirpith compost 50%

·         Groundnut cake 35 %

·         Ash 15%

Nutrient status :- N-3.25 %, P-0.87%, K-1.44%

Shelf life :- 3 months

COMPOSITE MANURE III

   Raw materials :-

·         Poultry manure 50 %

·         Groundnut cake 30%

·         Rock dust 20%

Nutrient status :- N-3.14 %, P-1.04 %, K 1.32 %

Shelf life :- 3 months

Since the composite manures contains combination of organic manures, it can enrich the soil in even lesser quantities, bulk application is not needed, unlike other organic manures.