Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) based pest management practices for Boro paddy in Northern parts of West Bengal

Abstract

Boro paddy is an important crop in Northern districts of West Bengal, but the crop have to pass through various biotic and abiotic stresses among which insect pest is one of the most important limiting factors. For protecting the crops farmers usually rely upon chemical pesticides that gradually hamper non-target organisms, increase cost of production etc. Among the non-pesticidal alternate technologies, indigenous technology may play pivotal role in bringing sustainability in agriculture. A number of indigenous knowledge based pest management module for boro paddy have been formulated and tested in the agro-ecosystem under consideration during boro season of 2015 and 2016. Inspiring results obtained in field trial from two years of study. Insect pest population observed lowest in chemical based pest management module but natural enemy complex found drastically low. Hence, considering the ill effects of pesticidal application in agro- ecosystem and increasing cost of production, the indigenous technical knowledge based pest management technology may be accommodated as one of the most viable as well as effective tools of IPM in boro paddy.