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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with an economy dependent largely on agriculture. Agriculture provides about 20% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about 65 per cent of the civilian labor force. Rice covers about 75 per cent cultivable land of the country. Other important crops grown are jute, wheat, sugarcane, potato, tea, tobacco, cotton, oilseeds and vegetables. About 100 different types of crops are grown. The farmers are mostly illiterate, and their landholdings are very small and fragmented. The agricultural production system of Bangladesh is prone to many natural hazards such as frequent floods, drought, cyclones and tidal surges. The warm and humid environment of the country is highly conducive to the proliferation of insect pests and diseases. (National IPM Policy 2000) Several methods of pest control were being practiced in Bangladesh to combat pest incidence, chemical control being at the top of the list. Current registration shows 94 different kinds of pesticides with 299 trade names. Although pesticides may provide temporary relief from pests, in the long run these pesticides pose the greater problem. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system, which embodies a combination of many environmentally friendly techniques of managing healthy crops, conservation of biological control agents by avoiding or reducing the use of toxic pesticides, 1

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Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur DistrictByMahmud Hasan Tuhin1008282001

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Page 1: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with an economy

dependent largely on agriculture. Agriculture provides about 20% of the gross domestic

product (GDP) and employs about 65 per cent of the civilian labor force. Rice covers

about 75 per cent cultivable land of the country. Other important crops grown are jute,

wheat, sugarcane, potato, tea, tobacco, cotton, oilseeds and vegetables. About 100

different types of crops are grown. The farmers are mostly illiterate, and their

landholdings are very small and fragmented. The agricultural production system of

Bangladesh is prone to many natural hazards such as frequent floods, drought, cyclones

and tidal surges. The warm and humid environment of the country is highly conducive to

the proliferation of insect pests and diseases. (National IPM Policy 2000)

Several methods of pest control were being practiced in Bangladesh to combat pest

incidence, chemical control being at the top of the list. Current registration shows 94

different kinds of pesticides with 299 trade names. Although pesticides may provide

temporary relief from pests, in the long run these pesticides pose the greater problem.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system, which embodies a combination of many

environmentally friendly techniques of managing healthy crops, conservation of

biological control agents by avoiding or reducing the use of toxic pesticides,

augmentation of biological control agents, and use of pest tolerant crop varieties, was

considered a suitable strategy in reducing crop losses due to pests, leading to sustainable

agriculture. (Hossain 2006)

1.2 Current status of pesticides use and its impact on the environment

The sub -tropical monsoon climate of Bangladesh favors the rapid development of

various pests and diseases on crops. A conservative estimate indicates that 10 to 15 per

cent of crops are damaged by pests and disease annually. Modernization of agriculture

had led to an extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides. Although food grains and other

crops showed significant yield increases through the use of fertilizers and pesticides, soil

quality deteriorated as a consequence of indiscriminate and excessive use of chemicals.

Pesticide use was implemented in the country in 1957, and was fully subsidized up to

early 1974, when subsidy levels were reduced to half. Subsidy was fully withdrawn

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in1979 leading to a decline in consumption levels. In 1995, use of nitrogen fertilizer

accounted for about 88 per cent of total fertilizer use, from 67 per cent in 1991.

Insecticide was commonly used for pest control , which accounted for approximately

90 per cent of total consumed pesticide.

Although, pesticides use when compared to other countries is relatively low,

dependence on pesticides had already caused pollution and environmental

degradation. The pesticides sprayed over the standing crops ultimately contaminated soil

(figure I.1). Research findings reveal that pesticide applied at the rate of one pound per

acre deteriorated the topsoil to a depth of a foot (about four million pound soil) not only

destroying harmful insects, but also destroying useful microbes of top soils, which slowly

retarded the biological nutrient replenishment of the soil.

Figure 1.1: Fate of agro-chemicals applied to crops

Farmers spraying pesticides and using fertilizers, in many cases, suffered from heart and

skin diseases. Cows, goats and other domestic animals eating fertilizer-fed and

pesticides-affected grasses also suffered from diseases. Fish population in the rivers

and other water bodies decreased drastically due to water pollution by chemicals

including fertilizers and pesticides.

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1.3 Objective of the Study

The main objectives of the study are:

To identify the IPM techniques used by the vegetable farmers

To evaluate the economic benefit of the farmers.

1.4 Justification of the Study

By using IPM technique, the vegetable farmers can grow eco-friendly, organic crops

which economic value is very high in local and foreign market. But the technique is not

adopted by all farmers for some constraints. But the economic return is much higher for

the farmers by using IPM technique. In this study the economic status of farmers are also

evaluated. And the study can help to identify the justification of IPM for the other

farmers.

1.5 Scope of the Study

IPM technique is relatively new in our country. It is not very popular among all vegetable

farmers. This study finds out the economic returns of using IPM. Such types of study will

be helpful for the spread of the IPM techniques among the farmers of the other part of the

study area.

1.6 Limitation of the Study

Limitations of the study are as follows.

Limited time for field visit and data collection.

Only key informants survey with the vegetable farmers.

Unable to meet with the Upazila Agriculture Officer.

1.7 Literature review

1.7.1 Pesticide use in vegetable cultivation

Until recently insecticides were the major means of insect control in all crops including

vegetables in Bangladesh. The use of insecticides in Bangladesh was started date back in

1957/58 with the grant receipt of 3 metric tons of endrin , which reached 14,312 metric

tons in 2004 through import and marketing of several brands across 5 era of systems, and

is still on the increasing trend. More than 80% of the insecticides are used in controlling

the insect pests of rice. Such use of pesticides in rice caused several problems including

insect pest resurgence, secondary pest outbreak etc. Recently, the use of insecticides has

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considerably increased in vegetables like eggplant, country bean, cucurbits, yard long

bean etc particularly in their intensive growing areas. In a growing season of 4 to 6

months in Jessore district, as many as 150 applications of insecticides with at least once a

day during peak period were required to suppress the insect pests in eggplant. As many as

30 sprays of insecticides have been reported in country bean. Even in several instances

farmers were reported to use cocktails of 3 to 5 insecticides to control the eggplant shoot

and fruit borers, which indicated the development of resistance, destruction of natural

enemies, resurgence and harmful residues in edible fruits. These situations have prompted

to shift the practice of sole reliance on insecticide to integrated insect pest management

(IPM) practice (Islam, 2005)

1.7.2 What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

In agriculture, integrated pest management (IPM) is a pest control strategy that uses a

variety of complementary strategies including: mechanical devices, physical devices,

genetic, biological, cultural management, and chemical management. These methods are

done in three stages: prevention, observation, and intervention. It is an ecological

approach with a main goal of significantly reducing or eliminating the use of pesticides

while at the same time managing pest populations at an acceptable level (IPM CSRP).

1.7.3 How IPM works

An IPM regime can be quite simple or sophisticated. Historically, the main focus of IPM

programs was on agricultural insect pests. Although originally developed for agricultural

pest management, IPM programs are now developed to encompass diseases, weeds, and

other pests that interfere with the management objectives of sites such as residential and

commercial structures, lawn and turf areas, and home and community gardens.

An IPM system is designed around six basic components: The US Environmental

Protection Agency has a useful set of IPM principles.

1. Acceptable pest levels: The emphasis is on control, not eradication. IPM holds that

wiping out an entire pest population is often impossible, and the attempt can be more

costly, environmentally unsafe, and frequently unachievable. IPM programs first work to

establish acceptable pest levels, called action thresholds, and apply controls if those

thresholds are crossed. These thresholds are pest and site specific, meaning that it may be

acceptable at one site to have a weed such as white clover, but at another site it may not

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be acceptable. This stops the pest gaining resistance to chemicals produced by the plant or

applied to the crops. If many of the pests are killed then any that have resistance to the

chemical will rapidly reproduce forming a resistant population. By not killing all the pests

there are some un-resistant pests left that will dilute any resistant genes that appear.

2. Preventive cultural practices: Selecting varieties best for local growing conditions,

and maintaining healthy crops, is the first line of defense, together with plant quarantine

and 'cultural techniques' such as crop sanitation (e.g. removal of diseased plants to

prevent spread of infection).

3. Monitoring: Regular observation is the cornerstone of IPM. Observation is broken into

two steps, first; inspection and second; identification. Visual inspection, insect and spore

traps, and other measurement methods and monitoring tools are used to monitor pest

levels. Accurate pest identification is critical to a successful IPM program. Record-

keeping is essential, as is a thorough knowledge of the behavior and reproductive cycles

of target pests. Since insects are cold-blooded, their physical development is dependent

on the temperature of their environment. Many insects have had their development cycles

modeled in terms of degree days. Monitor the degree days of an environment to

determine when is the optimal time for a specific insect's outbreak.

4. Mechanical controls: Should a pest reach an unacceptable level, mechanical methods

are the first options to consider. They include simple hand-picking, erecting insect

barriers, using traps, vacuuming, and tillage to disrupt breeding.

5. Biological controls: Natural biological processes and materials can provide control,

with minimal environmental impact, and often at low cost. The main focus here is on

promoting beneficial insects that eat target pests. Biological insecticides, derived from

naturally occurring microorganisms (e.g.: Bt, entomopathogenic fungi and

entomopathogenic nematodes), also fit in this category.

6. Chemical controls: Synthetic pesticides are generally only used as required and often

only at specific times in a pest’s life cycle. Many of the newer pesticide groups are

derived from plants or naturally occurring substances (e.g.: nicotine, pyrethrum and insect

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juvenile hormone analogues), and further 'biology-based' or 'ecological' techniques are

under evaluation. (Wekipedia, 2009)

1.7.4 IPM History in Bangladesh

The IPM activity in Bangladesh, in fact, was initiated in 1981 through the FAO inter-

country IPM project in rice in South and South East Asia, which subsequently expanded

through other projects like ADB funded DAE – CAD (Department of Agricultural

Extension – Command Area Development) in 1997 – 2000, FAO – EC- CDB Regional

Cotton IPM program in 1999 in 1999, CARE Bangladesh INTERFISH (Integrated Rice

and Fish) program in 1993 and the NOPEST (New Options in Pest Management)

program in 1995, DANIDA - DAE – SPPS (Strengthening Plant Protection Services)

project phase 1 in 1997 – 2002, DANIDA funded AID-Comilla (Association for

Integrated Development) project in 1999 – 2001. All these projects mostly concentrated

on rice IPM. These projects have developed IPM technologies for rice insect pests and

undertaken programmes for their dissemination through T & V system and then lastly by

establishing the Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) across the country. The process is still

ongoing for enhancing the adoption by general farmers. Subsequently efforts were

undertaken to develop vegetable IPM through the Vegetable IPM-ICP project in 1996 -

1999, UNDP/FAO -DAE IPM project in 1996 - 2001, DANIDA - DAE – SPPS

(Strengthening Plant Protection Services) project phase 2 in 2002 to 2006, and USAID -

IPMCRSP (IPM Collaborative Research and Supportive Programme) in 1993 – 1998 – to

date. The IPM activities have created significant awareness in the country and have made

significant impact in reducing the use of pesticides by the IPM trained farmers. But the

IPM tactics so far tested under these projects have covered only very few insect pests of

only few vegetables and have not been adopted as a common practice by the general

vegetable farmers. However, efforts are underway to address both these situations.

Nevertheless significant achievements have been made in developing the IPM tactics for

the insect pests particularly the fruit fly of cucurbits and the shoot and fruit borer of

eggplant among the vegetables.

1.7.5 IPM of Eggplant and other vegetables

Eggplant, Solanum groundgena is one of the most common and popular vegetable crops

cultivated in Bangladesh. It is grown year-round having two major growing seasons such

as summer and winter. Eggplant is one of the rare vegetables, which can be grown also in

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summer. It covers an area of 74,711 acres, which is about 15% of total vegetable areas of

the country. Although the crop is grown throughout the country, it is intensively and

commercially grown in Jessore, Narsinghdi, Dhaka, Comilla, Rangpur and Bogra

districts. Its annual production is about 191,525 metric tons with an average yield of 2.56

metric tons per acre. One of the major factors of low yield of eggplant is insect pest. At

least fifteen insect pests and one mite pest attack eggplant. Among them, eggplant shoot

and fruit borers, leafhoppers and epilachna beetles cause serious damage to the crop.

However, none of the insect pests build up populations equally in every season and in all

growing regions. The incidence and infestation of insect pests predominate in summer

season (Rahman 2000)

Like eggplant, in tomato, sweet ground/ Pumpkin (Misti kumra), cabbage, and in korola

(Momordica charantia) field, IPM is used by the farmers. Different IPM techniques are used

by the farmers. Mainly they got training from different NGOs and from the Agriculture

extension office.

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CHAPTER TWO: MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Introduction

Methodology reveals the entire process that will be followed for the completion of the

study successfully. It helps to organize and conduct the study. The following

methodological activities have been undertaken to complete the paper.

2.2 Selection of the Study Area

Study area is selected according to study objectives and research work related with the

issues. Following the title and objectives of the study, an area was selected where a large

amount of vegetable produced and IPM technique is also used. For that purposes Jalkar of

Rangpur sadar Upazila in Rangpur district (Figure 2.1) has been selected as the study

area. In that area, farmers mainly grow a locally well known “Khatkhatia eggplant”, Misti

kumra, Korola and tomato.

2.3 Description of the Study Area

Jalkar is situated 5 km north of Rangpur town. Most of the people are employee, labor

and riwksha puller. Some people are poultry farm owner and rests of the people are

farmers. Among them around 40% farmers cultivate vegetables. In that area around 350

ha land is under cultivation of vegetable. Farmers are mainly grown eggplant, sweet

ground (Misti kumra), tomato and korola. The farmers sell their products to the nearby

Boro bazar (Municipality whole sale market). The farmers get training and support for

IPM practice from a NGO named USAID-CSRP. The trainers of that NGO give training,

support technology and provide other help.

2.4 Data Collection

2.4.1 Primary data collection

Primary data are collected by a questionnaire survey of key informants. A total 10

questionnaire survey was conducted for the data collection. Key informants are selected

from the vegetable field situated both side of the main road.

2.4.2 Secondary Data Collection

The secondary data were collected from different sources. Mainly those data were

collected from the books, review of published literature on the concerned topic. Internet

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was extensively used for the collection of related papers and different data. Maps were

collected from Banglapedia.

Figure 2.1: Rangpur District, sadar upazila and study area (dotted) Source: Banglapedia

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2.5 Data Processing, Analysis and Interpretation

The collected data are processed first and then the data is analyzed using Microsoft Excel

of Office 2003 version. The results of interpretation are presented in tables and figures.

Different types of graph providing the comparison among various parameters.

2.6 Report Writing and Presentation

The Report is prepared by using Microsoft Word in computer after sorting and analysis of

the data obtained. The report was organized in a systematic way as per possible and final

submission of the report was held. The presentation is also prepared by using Microsoft

Power Point.

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CHAPTER THREE: PEST, IPM AND IPM POLICY

3.1 Pest

Pest are a special category of animals and plants those destroy our economic crops and

biological production. The term pest may be used to refer specifically to harmful animals

but is also often taken to mean all harmful organisms including weeds, plant pathogenic

fungi and viruses. Pesticides are chemicals and other agents (e.g. beneficial micro-

organisms) that are used to control or protect other organisms from pests.

Again, The word “pest” refers to organisms such as insects, pathogens, weeds,

nematodes, mites, rodents and birds that cause damage or annoyance to man, his animals,

crops or possessions. According to an estimate, annual yield loss due to insect pest alone

is 16 percent for rice, 11 percent for wheat, 20 percent for sugarcane, 25 percent for

vegetables, 15 percent for jute and 25 percent for pulse crops. (IMP Policy, 2000)

3.2 Harmful pest for vegetable

There are many harmful pest are present in our country. Some name of the pest are given

below.

Table 3.1: Name of some pest of vegetables

Local Name Scientific name Family Genera

Cut worm Agrotis ipsilon Noctuidae LepidopteraEpilachna beetle vigintioctopunctata Coccineliidae LepidopteraJassid Amrasca biguttula Jassidae LepidopteraLeaf Roller Eublemma olivacea, Noctuidae LepidopteraRed mite Tetranychus urticae Acarina HomopteraThrips Thrips palmi Thripidae LepidopteraAphids Aphis gossypii Aphididae HomopteraWhite fly Bemisia tabaci Aleurodidae HomopteraEggplant shoot and fruit borer

Leucinodes orbonalis Pyralidae Thysanoptera

Black aphids, Plutella xylostela Aphididae AcarinaFruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera Noctuidae LepidopteraShoot and Fruit borer Earias vittella Plutellidae HomopteraDiamondback moth Spodoptera litura Noctuidae ColeopteraTobacco caterpillar Aphis craccivora Noctuidae Lepidoptera.

(Source: Rahman 2005)

3.3 Current pest management practice

In Bangladesh, chemical control has been the primary method of pest control in the past.

Up to 1974, the Government promoted the use of pesticides by supplying them free of

cost to farmers (100 percent subsidy). The subsidy was reduced to 50 percent in 1974.

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The Government withdrew subsidy completely in 1979 and the pesticide business was

transferred to the private sector. However, to deal with emergency situations, the

government should maintain a buffer stock of 15-20 metric tons of pesticides. After the

withdrawal of subsidy, although the use of pesticides declined during early years,

their use has been on the increase again reaching 14,340 metric tons of formulated

products or 2,462 metric tons of active ingredients in 1999 costing over one billion Taka

in foreign exchange (US$ 18.5 million). Increased rice area, increase in cropping intensity

and an increase in the area under high yielding varieties led to the increased

consumption of pesticides.

At present 96 pesticides (including one botanical) with 304 trade names have been

registered in Bangladesh. In the year 1999, 2,462 tons of active ingredients of pesticides

were used in Bangladesh over an area of 13.63 million hectare, which is equal to 180

grams of active ingredients per hectare per year. All these pesticides are imported every

year expending hard-earned foreign exchange. Although pesticide use in Bangladesh is

relatively lower in comparison to neighbouring countries (e.g. India uses 320 grams of

active ingredients per hectare per year), the use of pesticides has been increasing rapidly

over the past two decades. (IPM Policy, 2000)

3.4 The need of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

In the past, pesticides were considered as the ‘panacea’ for the control of agricultural

pests. Although pesticides may provide temporary relief, it is now widely accepted

that indiscriminate and excessive use of pesticides and the long-term dependency

on them threaten the sustainability of agricultural production. Over dependence on

chemical pesticides is not only expensive but also leads to negative environmental

impacts, in addition to increased health hazards to both the growers and consumers of

crops.

Considering the facts that:

Bangladesh needs to increase its food production on a sustainable basis;

Pests continue to cause serious damages to crops;

The use of toxic pesticides is the main method of pest control and that such

continued heavy reliance on chemicals would lead to serious environmental and

human health problems, pest resurgence, new pest problems and development of

resistance;

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There is a need for an alternative method rather than to rely solely on pesticides.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has now been considered as the most appropriate one

in this respect. (IPM Policy, 2000)

3.5 The National IPM Policy

There are many definitions of Integrated Pest Management. The FAO definition of IPM is

as follows:

"A pest management system that, in the context of the associated environment and the

population dynamics of the pest species, utilizes all suitable techniques and methods

in as compatible a manner as possible and maintains the pest populations at levels below

those causing economic injury"

In the context of Bangladesh the term IPM includes elements contributing to an effective,

safe, sustainable and economically sound crop protection system. It is not limited to pest

management system alone.

Clearly, IPM conserves the natural resources such as the soil, flora and fauna and ensures

reliability and stability of agricultural production. Ecological and economic sustainability

of agricultural production is the long-term goal of IPM. In fact effective IPM-

increases self-reliance of farmers by promoting locally developed and adapted

crop management practices;

reduces the risks to farmers, general public and the environment; these include the

risks of crop loss and all risks related to the use of pesticides;

brings enormous savings by reducing the use of farm chemicals;

reduces use of pesticides at the national level;

improves the field conditions for beneficial insects and generate extra income as

well as nutritious food for the farmers; and

Promotes community activities and the formation of farmer groups (e.g. IPM

clubs) and facilitates empowerment of both female and male farmers.

3.6 Components of the IPM Policy

The following are the key components of the IPM policy:

Maintaining ecological balance

Executing appropriate actions on pesticides

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Operating an effective system for implementing the national IPM programme

Developing human resources as the core of IPM

Conducting research on IPM

3.7 Effect of IPM and green farming on farmer’s income

In Bangladesh some of the literate urban populations are becoming increasingly aware of

the pesticide hazards in food. Vegetable growers mostly use fertilizer and pesticides on

brinjal, ladies finger, yard long bean, potato etc. Green farming products are currently

attracting the buyers market. Vegetable products of Bangladesh have demand in Middle

East and in some European countries where green farming products area precondition.

Green farming with Integrated Nutrient Management, pest and disease management, soil

and water management, applying compost, vermi-compost, green manuring, bio-

inoculants like Azotobacter and Azospirilum, Blue-green algae,Azolla, Mycorrhiza and

production of multipurpose trees and shrubs; using of boundary planting, homegardening,

mechanical and biological pest control could create the great opportunity of intensive

labors for income generation.

No formal green farming project has been setup in government sector though preliminary

practices on green farming are being undertaken by some NGOs. However, some

activities such as compost making, green manuring etc. are included in the activities of

the extension workers to motivate farmers in soil management. Demands for green

farming product are gradually increasing in the market, leaving ample scope to extend

this technology in the country. National policy and planning is urgently needed to meet

this demand. (Islam, 2005)

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CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Introduction

Uses of pesticide for the vegetable and crop production have negative impact on

environment and heath of the farmers. IPM techniques solve all these problems. Because,

these techniques are environment friendly, safe and economically viable. For that, this

study try to evaluate the common IPM techniques of the study area, their working

procedure, effectiveness, and economic benefits of using IPM. A general health situation

of farmers before and after using IPM was also evaluated.

4.2 IPM Techniques Used in the Study Area

From the early chapters, we found that the study area mainly grown eggplant, sweet

ground (Misti kumra), and korola. The common IPM techniques practiced by the farmers

of the study area are given here.

4.2.1 Pheromone Trap/ Ghondo Fad

The pheromone trap or Ghondo Fad comprises the pheromone and the locally made-up

detergent water trough (Figure 3.1).

15

Plastic container

Pheromone containing

rolled cotton

Dissolve detergent

BambooSupport

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Figure 4.1: Pheromone Trap/ Ghondo Fad Source: Field study

In a one ha vegetable 8-10 pheromen trap is used. The number is varying according to the

farmers choice. The whole system consists of a big size around 20 to 25cm tall

rectangular or round clear plastic container. A triangular opening is cut in any two

opposite sides starting 3-4cm from the bottom. Detergent water of 3-4cm height is

maintained inside the container (trap) throughout the season. A cotton wad measuring

2.5x1.5cm and soaked with 15-20 drops of “cuelure” [4-(p-acetoxyphenyl)-2 butane} or

{4-(3-oxobutyl-phenylacetate)}] is hung through the center of the lid of the plastic

container by means of a thin wire in such a way that the cotton wad remains 3-4cm above

the detergent water. The trap is then placed just above the crop canopy (1.5-2 m) by

means of a bamboo support.  The pheromone remains active and continues to attract flies

for 2-3 months. This is a very common and most well known practice for the korola

vegetable. The pheromone is a sex hormone released by the male insects. In pheromone

trap the female insects are attracted by the smell of the pheromone and fly near the trap.

They enter inside the trap and fall in to the detergent mixed water which acts as poison

for them and they killed there. By killing the female insects the reproduction and the egg

lying is stopped in korola and eggplant field. And by this way this technique reduces the

insect attack on vegetable.

4.2.2 Mash Sweet Ground (MSG) Poison Trap/ Kumra Bis Fad

It is a popular trap using mainly in Pumpkin/Kumra field. Farmers of the study area who

cultivate sweet ground always use such types of trap (Figure 4.2). The poison MSG bait is

prepared by taking 100g of sliced and smashed ripe sweet gourd in an earthen small

container named “chara, shora or sanki” and mixed with 0.25g Mipcin 75WP or Sevin

85WP or Dipterex 80WP and around 100ml water. The earthen container, with the above

bait materials, is then placed in a Kumra field by mounting it on three bamboo sticks in

such a way that the container remains about half meter above the ground. Finally a flat

earthen plate, bigger than the poison containing earthen container, is placed at the top of

the three bamboo sticks to protect the bait materials from getting dried by solar heat or

wet from rains. A small amount of water should be added to the bait if it gets dried. The

MSG bait remains effective for 3-4 days at which time the bait should be replaced with

newly prepared MSG. in a ong ha vegetable field farmers use 12 to 15 trap according to

their choice and the equal distance is managegd.

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Figure 4.2: MSG trap/ Kumrar Bis Fad Source: Field study

In this trap the pest are attracted by the smell of the sweet ground and come to the trap.

They sit on the poisoned water mixed with sweet ground and killed. Both male and

female and some time beneficiary insects such as bee, spider, dragon fly etc. are also

killed in this trap. According the farmers the trap is very effective and thy get benefit for

the trap

4.2.3 Grafting of Eggplant/ Kolom chara

Grafting eggplant is very popular to the farmers of the study area. The majority numbers

of the farmers are eggplant cultivators. So they need disease free, pest free, healthy

vegetable. The economic return of these types of vegetable is also high. For that reason

the farmers like this technique. And they adopt this technique. Some of them graft the bud

of eggplant and sell them to other farmers. Not only eggplant, farmers are also graft

tomato plant for disease free vegetable plant. Grafting of eggplant is little bit tough.

Because the plant is grafted in to a wild eggplant (teet begun/ kata begun) root. At first a

eggplant plant is taken and its root is cut off in “V” shape. A wild eggplant tree is taken

and its shoot is also cut from the 2-3 inch from root in a “V” shape. Then the eggplant

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Poisoned water with mashed sweet ground

Earthen Pot as Roof

Earthen Pot Bamboo Stick

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plant in grafted into the wild eggplant and the grafting place is attached with tread or

simple plastic clip. After that the plant are keep in side a plastic shade preventing it from

heat and rainwater. After 3- 5 days the grafted portions of the both plants are joined and

the plant is ready for the field.

Figure 4.3: Grafting of eggplant Source: Field study

Figure 4.4: Grafting plants are attached with plastic clip Source: Field study

18

Eggplant tree

Wild Eggplant Root

Attached Place of two plants

Joint attached with plastic clip

Page 19: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

Grafting is revolutionizing the business of producing eggplants of the study area. Grafting

technology is being used to control the devastating soil borne disease of eggplant known

as “bacterial wilt” and some other fungicide disease. In eggplant field, pheromone traps

are also use for the biological control. Before tree plantation the farmers prepare their

land by using tobacco dust into the field. Again tobacco dust is also spread in mature

eggplant plants and also in field. The irritating odor of tobacco dust keeps the pests away

for the vegetable field.

4.2.4 Organic soil amendment/ Jomi toyri/ Field Preparation

This is relatively a new technique for the vegetable farmers. This technique is applied

before tree plantation and during land preparation. We know that eggplant affected by

different soil induced disease. Different microorganisms, pest larva, pest insect live in the

soil. And after plantation they attacked to the plant and destroy the plant and vegetable

production. For that reason the new IPM techniques is introduces in the study area by

some NGOs. The technique is call soil amendment or field preparation.

Figure 4.5: With out land preparation process Source: Field study

19

Weak Plants

HealthyPlants

Page 20: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

Figure 4.6: With land preparation process Source: Field study

Locally available materials are used for this practice. For the land preparation the farmers

need well decomposed poultry refuse and mustard oil-cake both are available in that area.

The farmers need 3 ton/ ha well decomposed poultry refuse and mustard oil-cake (300 kg/

ha). Both are mixed properly and then mixed with the field soil 15 days before planting of

the vegetable. Normal IPM techniques are followed during the other period. From the

figure (figure 4.5 and 4.6) we can easily compared the health and productivity status of

the following IPM techniques. It is found that the without following the land preparation

IPM techniques, the eggplant plants are less strong, brownish leaf, rolled leaf and the size

of the fruit is small. On the other hand, by following the IPM techniques the plant are

healthy, greener, strong and the size and shape of the fruit is also very good. So by

following this technique, farmers can get more production and economically also

benefited.

4.2.4 Other local pest control techniques

Some other local techniques are also use in the study area for the pest management. Their

name and acting process are given below.

4.2.4.1 Rodent/ Rat trap

Rodents mainly rat is very harmful for the vegetable. They eat, cut and make unwanted

canal in the vegetable field. By their attack the production of vegetable reduced. Trees are

also affected. For that local farmers use bamboo made traps, bait trap etc.

4.2.4.2 Light trap

It is a very common practice in our country. In the study are only few farmers using this

technique. A light is hanging on the vegetable field and beneath it a bowl or chari filled

with poisonous or detergent containing water placed. At night the insects are gathered

near the light and fall into the poisonous water and killed. Farmers having vegetable field

near their house some time practice this techniques.

4.2.4.3 Scarecrow

Scarecrow is used to drive out the birds form the vegetable field mainly from the korola

field. Because they make hole and destroy the vegetable. Scarecrow is made with bamboo

20

Page 21: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

stick, straw, old mud pot and torn shirt. A human like shape is formed for driving out the

birds. When wind blow it moves and birds became afraid and flew away.

4.2.4.4 Plastic, cassette tape

These are also used for driving out the birds. Plastic and cassette tape reflects light. By

watching this birds do not come near the vegetable field. For that plastic or tape are tie at

1-2 meter long bamboo stick and placed into the field. When wind blows the tape and

plastic are curing like snake and the birds become afraid and keep away form the

vegetable field.

4.3 Economic Status of the Farmers

4.3.1 Reduced pesticide use

A huge amount of pesticide is essential for the vegetable production. But the IPM

technique reduces the pesticide use. Form the study it is found that before using IPM they

use high amount of pesticide but after adopting IPM method the use of pesticide is

reduced almost 72% (Figure: 3.7) and table 3.1.

Table 4.1: No of bottle of pesticide use before and after using IPM

VegetableBefore IPM

Per ha

After IPM

Per ha

% of pesticide

use reduction

Total reduction

of pesticide use

Eggplant 10 2/3 75%

72%Korola 12 4 66%

Sweet Ground 8 2 75%

21Figure 4.7: Overall reduction in pesticide use

75%

66%

75%

72% 72% 72%

60%

62%

64%

66%

68%

70%

72%

74%

76%

Eggplant Korola Sweet Ground

Vegetable type

% R

ed

uced

Page 22: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

From the above figure we found that for both eggplant and sweet ground field the

application of pesticide is reduced around 75% on the other hand for korola it is reduced

66% and overall reduction of pesticide use for the study area is reduced 72%.

4.3.2 Amount of money saved for less use of pesticide

Less amount of pesticide are uses after IPM technique of the study area. The prices of the

pesticides are very high. Less amount of pesticide cost less agricultural cost to the

farmers. The status of spend money for the pesticide of the study area is given here. It is

found that around 78% cost saved by using the IPM techniques of vegetables. In the

following table (table 3.2) the data are given.

Table 4.2: Pesticide cost saving of farmers before and after using IPM

Vegetable

Cost Before

IPM

Ha/ Taka

Cost After IPM

Ha/ Taka

% of money

savedOver all savings

Eggplant 1600 350 78%

78%Korola 1800 420 76%

Sweet Ground 1400 250 82%

22

Figure 4.8: Overall cost save by using IPM

78%

76%

82%

78% 78% 78%

73%

74%

75%

76%

77%

78%

79%

80%

81%

82%

83%

Eggplant Korola Sweet Ground

Vegetable type

% C

ost

Saved

Page 23: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

From figure 4.8 we found that the overall cost saved 78% by using IPM

4.3.3 Amount of production increased by using IPM

IPM technique increased vegetable production of the study area. It is found that the sweet

ground production is increased very high around 2.5 times high than previous. For

eggplant the production increase almost double and for the korola the production

increased near about double. The following table (Table 3.3) shows the result.

Table 4.3: Yield of farmers before and after using IPM

VegetableBefore IPM

Tons/Ha

After IPM

Tons/Ha

% of production

change

Over all

Yield increased

Eggplant 4 7 175% 189%

(Almost

double)

Korola 12 20 166%

Sweet Ground 3.5 8 228%

From the figure 4.9 it is found that the overall yield production increase by using IPM is

almost double.

4.3.4 Economic retunes of the vegetable farmers

23

Figure 4.9:% of yield increased by using IPM

175%

166% 228%

189% 189%189%

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

250%

Eggplant Korola Sweet Ground

Vegetable type

% Y

ield

in

crea

sed

Page 24: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

From the study it is found that the economic returns of the farmers are increasing. But the

farmers are not eager to give the data of economic status. According to the farmers it is

found that only 20 to 40 incomes increased. But it is not match with the other results. Its

may due to reluctance to give economic data or etc. but it is found that the economic

status is increasing around 30% by using the IPM technique. Again they said increased

vegetable production reduce the price of vegetable and for that the interest is also

reduced. Probably this is the main cause of less benefit. The following table (table 4.4)

Table 4.4: % of interest increased by using IPM of vegetable farmers

Vegetable

Interest before

IPM

Taka/Ha

Interest after

IPM

Taka/Ha

% of t change

Over all

Interest

increased

Eggplant 450 600 33%

38%Korola 500 700 40%

Sweet Ground 700 1000 43%

From the above figure 4.10 it is found that the overall economic benefit increase only

38% according to the vegetable farmers.

24

Figure 4.10:% of interest increased by using IPM

33%43%

40%

38%

38%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Eggplant Korola Sweet Ground

Vegetable type

% i

nte

rest

in

crea

sed

Page 25: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

4.4 Discussions

It is found that in study area mainly four types of IPM techniques are used. Those are

Pheromone trap, Mashed sweet ground trap, grafting of eggplant and Organic soil

amendment. Some other local IPM practices are also used. Againg it is found that the

amount of pesticide use reduced 72%, 78% cost saved by using IPM, crop production

increase almost 200% or double and the overall economic return increased 38%. These

results are matched with the national standard and few other IPM study conducted by

BARI. So the results are considered as reliable.

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Page 26: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSIONS

5.1 Conclusion

Until few years back most farmers in Bangladesh relied solely on pesticides for protecting

their crops from pest damage. They were unaware that all insects were not harmful to

crops, nor that certain insects did benefit crops by damaging harmful insects and that

blanket application of pesticides also killed the majority of beneficial insects. IPM trained

farmers are able to identify the pests and beneficial insects (predators and parasites) and

in making correct decisions in crop production practices to get higher yields. They are

confident that reduced or no pesticide use, could guarantee higher yields, better crop

management practices and show a positive impact on the rural economy as well as

poverty alleviation. Practicing green farming could mean a better environment.

In the study area farmers are very much interested about IPM. They are ready to accept

this technique because of its economic benefit, higher yield, reduction of pesticide use

etc. So it is essential to spread this technology to the vegetable farmer of whole country,

then we can increase our food production and it will help us to alleviate poverty of our

country.

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Page 27: Identification of IPM Techniques and Its Impact on Farmers’ Economic Status: A Case Study on Vegetable Farmers of Rangpur District

References

1. Islam, M. 1999. Integrated pests (insects) management of vegetables. Consultancy

Report. AVRDC-USAID Bangladesh Project. HRC. BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur.

2. Islam, S. 2005. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Green Farming in Rural

Poverty Alleviation in Bangladesh. Presented by hahidul, Department of

Agricultural Extension and Project Manager, Command Area Development

Project, Part-B, Bangladesh.

3. Hossain M I, (et al) 2006. Diffusion of IPM Technologies of Vegetables in

Selected Areas of Bangladesh,.

4. National Integrated Pest Management Policy, 2002, Ministry of Agriculture

Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,

5. Rahman, M. M. 2005. IPM technologies of different crops potential for field trial

generated at the Department of Entomology, BSMRAU, Gazipur. Paper presented

at IPM Operators Workshop organized by the DANIDA-DAE-SPPS project and

held on March 30 at DAE, Khamarbari, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

6. Satter, M. A. and K. S. Uddin. 1996. Country Paper on Integrated Pest

Management Activities in Bangladesh, DAE, Khamarabari, Dhaka.

7. Internet:

Wekipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPM

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