Awareness programme on “Application of Pesticides in Rice”

Awareness programme on “Application of Pesticides in Rice” for VAWs/AOs of Bargarh District of Odisha

An awareness training programme was organized on “Application of Pesticides in Rice” by the Crop Protection Division at ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack on 19th June 2018. Thirty Village Agricultural Workers (VAWs)/Agricultural officers (AOs) from different blocks of Bargarh District of Odisha nominated under ATMA, Bargarh, participated in the training programme.

Inaugural session was held in morning under the chairmanship of the Director, ICAR-NRRI in which, Course Coordinator, Dr. Raghu S, briefed about the importance of the training programme. Dr. Mayabini Jena, Head, Crop Protection Division, introduced trainees and informed about the existing knowledge gaps in pest identification and proper pesticide selection and application.  Dr. H Pathak, Director, ICAR-NRRI emphasized on importance of correct identification of the damaging symptoms of insect/pathogen involved therein and effective management of the pests. Two leaflets/flyers, “Pesticeide usage:Know before you act!” In English and “Keetanashak upayog:Mahatvapoorn janakari” in Hindi were released and distributed to the trainees.

Participants were given hands-on-training on how to identify different rice pests (key insects and diseases), their damaging symptoms through practical demonstration. Detail training was imparted on the occurrence of pests in relation to weather conditions and their management strategies. Participants were informed about the rules and regulations related to pesticides, their labels, poisoning and safe handling. A practical demonstration was held on right method of pesticide application in the field. NRRI technologies for pest management, more importantly RiceXpert, mobile app developed by ICAR-NRRI, was demonstrated to them.

Valedictory session was held under the chairmanship of the Director, ICAR-NRRI in which, Course Coordinator, Dr. Raghu S presented the performance and feedback of the trainees of the programme. Dr. Mayabini Jena, Head, Crop Protection Division, opined that this training is the foundation to fulfill gaps existing in effective management of the pests.  Dr. H Pathak, Director, ICAR-NRRI advised the VAWs/AOs to disseminate the knowledge learnt to their colleagues and the farmers.  He urged the participants to use pesticides only when pest cross economic threshold level (ETL). He also briefed about the importance of using a right pesticide at right time against right pest. Dr. P C Rath, Course Director of the programme proposed vote of thanks.