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pests and it ultimately affects
the crop yield leading in economic loss to the farmers.. It was observed
that the farmers were only applying chemical pesticides to control these
sucking pests and they were seeking the advice only from the pesticide
dealers. Even though the farmers were applying costly chemicals on okra
crop, they could not satisfactorily control these sucking pests besides
increasing the cost of production.
With the introduction of the KVK in this block, the problem was
identified and discussion were held with the vegetable growers in Ambi
and Dawangaon villages. The effective solution in the form of yellow
sticky traps was advised for the management of these sucking pests as
well as to minimize the cost of plant protection. The farmers were asked
to install 20 sticky traps per acre 21 days after sowing of the okra
crop. These sticky traps help in attracting the sucking pests and
thereby killing them by sticking on these traps. The KVK undertook an
assessment on effectiveness of yellow sticky traps against sucking pests
at 16 different locations in Ambi and Dawangaon villages.
Initially large number of jassids and white flies found attracted and
stuck on these traps and during the next month thrips were also
attracted towards these traps and got killed by sticking on them. By
observing the killed pests on these traps the okra growers got fully
convinced and they found that almost 50% chemical sprays were minimized.
It was also observed that the infestation of jassids and white flies was
managed upto 80% which was only 40-45% in chemically treated plots. The
farmers started to approach the KVK for supply of these traps to install
in other crops like cotton, vegetables, grapes, pomegranate etc. and the
technology also spread in the neighboring villages. For large scale
adoption of sticky traps in all .important crop the technology was
popularized through mass media like radio talk and news paper articles.
It was noticed the farmers could save 60% cost on plant
protection besides proper management of sucking pests in okra crop. By
observing the results some of the farmers purchased more number of traps
and installed in their fields. By considering the demand for sticky
traps from the farmers the KVK started to supply the sticky traps to the
farmers through the service center of the KVK. Thus the supply of inputs
at the proper time has also resulted in increasing the adoption of this
technology. The okra are fully convinced about the results of sticky
traps and also gave the feedback that the per acre number of sticky
traps should be increased for getting total control of sucking pests not
only in okra but also in other important crops..