The dangers of insecticides: Naturally occurring compounds as alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides for use in insect management in Nagaon district, Assam, India

Abstract

Pests, whether vegetables or non-vegetables, are common in any garden. Organic insecticides are prepared by household members using local resources without any scientific study or research. It is usually a very old-fashioned, trustworthy practice by nature. The very common pests include aphids, bugs, beetles, and various insects that cause damage to plants and leaves alike. A three-month study was undertaken from February 2024 to April 2024, targeting Nagaon district as the area of focus, with the view of knowing that organic insecticides are always a friendly environment, a safe, low-cost, or free-of-cost locally available resource utilisation system through engaging family labour. The overall perception of organic insecticides and organic pest management was overwhelmingly positive. Perching, Insect traps, and cultural practices were very common in pest management. In this study, Allium sativum, Allium cepa, Capsicum frutescens, and Zingiber officinale paste with jaggery were effective with high degradation times. Most of the respondents mentioned that caterpillars were controlled through perching. Stem borers, aphids, and rice weevils are the most common pests for organic crop production. Garlic, onions, chilli, and ginger were widely used to repel insect pests. There is a significant knowledge gap in the formulation, targeted application, and efficacy assessment of organic insecticides, lacking scientific rigour and statistical analysis. More research could be helpful in the safe use of it and increase the efficacy rate and ensure wider acceptance of organic farming practices.