Eco-friendly light trap, perching get popular

The light trap and perching systems introduced by the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) for repelling pests from the T-aman paddy fields are gaining popularity as they are ensuring increased production in different areas of 12 upazilas under the district.

The innovative systems have become a boon to the farmers as it has lowered production cost and enhanced paddy production. It is also expected to ensure food security of over 35 lakh people and extra income for the farmers from selling the surplus paddy.

Bogra DAE officials said they had set a target to cultivate T-aman on 1,87,268 hectares of land in the district this year and the production target is over seven lakh tonnes of rice, of which 1,80,500 hectares had been brought under cultivation by August.

Gabtoli upazila agriculture office sources said the department had set a target of T-aman cultivation on 16,500 hectares of land in the upazila and production target was 54,500 tonnes of rice, but farmers brought 16,200 hectares of land under T-aman cultivation as they have started cultivating early variety of vegetables after aus cultivation.

The source added that the aman crop had been attacked by pests like majra poka, gandhi poka, chungi poka and grasshopper, but the croplands were freed of the insects after farmers started using perching and light trap systems.

light trap sees successful implementation in Bogra. The photos were taken from Muruli village in Kahaloo upazila under the district. PHOTO: STAR

Pescicide trader of Gabtoli municipality area Sohrab Hossain said sale of insecticides and pesticides has dropped after implementation of the perching and light trap systems.

Pratul Chandra Sarker, deputy director of Bogra DAE, said farmers have been getting benefit from the light trap and perching systems for five years, and more farmers are showing interest in the insecticide-free systems.

To motivate and encourage the farmers, the department has been conducting meetings, distributing leaflets, monitoring progress at field level and observing 'field day', he added.