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Activities: ICM / IPM

Integrated Pest Management

Organizations involved: Agrocel and EIL

Aim:

●	On-farm testing of different bio-pesticides in management of pod borer complex in pulses.
●	To promote IPM practices in major pulses – pigeon pea and chickpea.
●	Reduce cost of cultivation and improve quantitative as well as qualitative yield of the crop and bring greater benefits to farmers.

Brief Description:

●	In 1997/98, the outbreak of pod borers (Helicoverpa and Spodoptera) resulted in complete failure of major pulses all over India. Conventional chemical pest control measures failed to adequately control these pests that resulting in severe yield losses.
●	Unsafe use of pesticides by the farmers also resulted in increased pesticide poisoning cases during that period. Subsequently, the pesticide industry and pesticide dealers were highly criticized for the supply of spurious pesticides and for not promoting ethical business practices.
●	Excel responded positively and timely to this grave situation. We established several biopesticides-based IPM trials with farmers in several hot-spot areas of the Marathwada region.
●	Our IPM schedule and foliar use of growth promoters proved effective in reviving the failed crop with reasonable yields.
●	At the end of the season, a 2-day “Excel Harvest Festival” was celebrated where farmers, scientists and Government officials shared their views and experiences about this project.
●	Subsequently, the benefit of our IPM package was demonstrated on large scale in other states.

Key Result Areas identified for the project:

●	Development of bio-pesticide based IPM schedule.
●	Role of Aminocel – a growth promoter in pulses.
●	Training of farmers and dealers.
●	Proper spraying techniques and safe use of pesticides.
●	Management strategies for the revival of failed crop.
●	Higher yields and profits.

Geographical Area of Implementation:

●	Kutch and Surendar Nagar in Gujarat
●	Kaithal in Haryana.

Period of Implementation:
 

Year of Commencement:

1997/98

Year of Completion:

1998/99

Current Status: Biopesticide-based IPM practices and use of growth promoters have become popular with pulse farmers.

Key Persons:
● Hasmukh Patel, Agrocel
● M. V. Potdar and S. Banerji, Excel Industries Ltd.
● Dilip Maiti, Ramrishna Mission - Calcutta
● Excel Dealers and Marketing staff

Major mile stones:

●	Establishment and monitoring of on-farm trials.
●	Data collection and analysis.
●	IPM training to farmers and dealers.
●	Biopesticide awareness among farmers, dealers and marketing staff.
●	Presentation of the project results at various forums.

Major Achievements:

●	Development of biopesticide-based IPM schedule for pigeonpea and chickpea.
●	Our technology proved effective in reviving the failed crops.
●	Celebration of the Excel Harvest Festival.
●	Farmer benefited with higher yields and profits.
●	Biopesticide and growth promoter as new business opportunity for Excel.

Major Setbacks:

●	Availability of quality biopesticides.
●	Lack of awareness among farmers about IPM and biopesticides.
●	Terminal drought during the season.

Learning:
 

●	On-farm constraints to crop production.
●	Farmer crop production practices.
●	Management of on-farm trials.
●	Working with farmers and dealers.
●	Role of bio-pesticides and growth promoters in pulses.

Note:
A similar project was implemented for Cotton with the aim of establishing the benefits of ICM practices over conventional crop management (CCM) practices and to promote ICM concept for sustainable cotton production. Moreover, a third project was introduced as Integrated Crop Management (ICM) in Chilies.

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