Insect-pests biocontrol training held in Chamba

The Department of Entomology, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, in Solan, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chamba, organised two training sessions on “Eco-friendly Management of Crop Pests” at Siur and Deol (Holi) villages of Bharmour block of Chamba district recently. The camps, organised under the Tribal sub-plan of All India Coordinated Research Project on Biocontrol of Crop Pests, were attended by over 100 farmers from the two villages.

Dr Subhash Chander Verma, Professor (Department of Entomology) and head-cum-principal investigator of the project, while elaborating upon the theme, stressed the need to adopt biocontrol strategies for the management of the insect pests of apple and other temperate crops.

He cautioned against the non-judicious use of the insecticides and other chemicals in the agricultural ecosystem of the pristine dry temperate zone of the state.

Additionally, farmers were made aware of the different insect pests of apples, their deleterious symptoms and eco-friendly management.

He further explained the utilisation of biocontrol practices involving the use of Aphelinus mali, coccinellids, syrphids and microbial agents against Woolly apple aphid and apple root borer.

Dr Kehar Singh Thakur, a KVK scientist, pondered upon various activities of the kendra, and the need to grow fodder plants and grasses along with fruit plants.