Ganderbal, Aug,31:Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Monday organized an awareness programme on the biological control of insect pests affecting temperate fruit crops, with a focus on promoting eco-friendly and sustainable pest management practices among orchardists.
The programme was organized by the All India Coordinated Research Project on Biological Control of Crop Pests (AICRP-BC), Division of Entomology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar, at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Ganderbal, in collaboration with KVK Ganderbal and with the support of ICAR–National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR-NBAIR), Bengaluru.Around 50 orchardists from different areas of Ganderbal district participated in the programme, which aimed to create awareness about biological control technologies, biopesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) as safer alternatives to excessive dependence on chemical pesticides.
Prof. (Dr.) Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension, SKUAST-K, attended the programme as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, she stressed the need to adopt environmentally safe and sustainable pest management practices for healthy crop production.She said that wider adoption of biological control technologies can help reduce pesticide residues, conserve natural enemies of insect pests, maintain ecological balance and improve the long-term health and productivity of orchards.
Dr. Shaheen Gul, Professor and Head, Division of Entomology, highlighted the importance of biological control and integrated pest management in managing insect pests of temperate fruit crops effectively and sustainably.
Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Malik, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Ganderbal, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of strengthening farmer-scientist interaction. He stressed the need to take practical and eco-friendly pest management technologies to fruit growers at the field level.
During the technical sessions, Prof. Sajad Mohi-ud-Din, Principal Investigator, AICRP-BC, and Dr. Mudasir Gani Bhat, Co-Principal Investigator, AICRP-BC, sensitized orchardists about major insect pests affecting temperate fruit crops, particularly apple.The experts explained various biological control measures, the use of biopesticides and other eco-friendly approaches aimed at achieving sustainable pest management while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.As part of the outreach initiative, biopesticides and laboratory-produced bioagents were also distributed among participating farmers to encourage their practical adoption in orchards.
The programme concluded with an interactive session during which orchardists raised field-level concerns related to pest management and interacted with scientists, KVK experts and extension specialists.
The participating farmers appreciated the initiative and expressed interest in adopting biological control measures for safer, sustainable and effective management of insect pests in temperate fruit crops.
The programme provided an important platform for strengthening farmer-scientist interaction and encouraging sustainable alternatives to chemical-based pest management in the fruit growing sector.
Dr. Mudasir Gani, Assistant Professor, delivered the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme.
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