To promote the use of biocontrol agents and biopesticides and mainstream Integrated Pest Management in the rice-based ecosystem in Odisha, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) partnered with CAB International (CABI) and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) to organize a workshop and field demonstration on “Mass Production and Application of Biological Control Agents and Biopesticides” from 23rd -27th September. Biocontrol agents help prevent pest resistance, support sustainable agriculture, and are essential for organic farming. Additionally, they can reduce the long-term costs on insect-pest management.
This activity is under the World Bank-aided project “Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture” and is managed by the Department of Water Resources and Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Odisha. The project aims to intensify and diversify agricultural production and enhance climate resilience in selected districts of Odisha This is planned to be achieved by a) adopting high yielding climate-ready varieties of different crops in tank command and influence areas, b) promoting rice varieties and cropping systems for tank command and influence areas to manage rice fallows c) optimizing nutrient management in tank command areas through an integrated plant nutrient supply system, and d) strengthening the entrepreneurship capacity of farmer organizations for seed and service provision development.
The workshop focused on the hands-on training of participants on the basic principles to produce biocontrol agents that are used as an augmentative approach to combat common pests and diseases with improved management practices in rice and pulses.
The training was conducted in the entomology and plant pathology department of OUAT. The participants were trained on the production of Trichogramma, the production of Corcyra eggs and trichocards, field release of Trichogramma, field evaluation technique, an overview of predatory insects in rice, and the production and field application of Trichoderma, Pseudomonas and Beauveria bassiana.
The inaugural session was presided by the OUAT dean Prof. H.K. Patro, who expressed his enthusiasm in the IRRI, CABI and OUAT collaboration. He expressed his interest in having similar collaborative programs in the future. The participants included five PhD students from OUAT who had the opportunity to learn production technologies from experts.
IRRI Soil Scientist, Dr. Anthony Fulford, emphasized the importance to include both organic and inorganic ways of crop management in the current scenarios of climate change to contribute to sustainable agriculture.
The first day of the workshop featured a presentation by Dr. Malvika Choudhary from CABI, who provided an overview of the mass production training. Prof. M.K. Mishra from OUAT highlighted the use of biopesticides, which aligns with the growing need to combat pesticide resistance, and has become a significant challenge in agriculture. Dr. A. Sasmal from OUAT provided an overview of the importance of biocontrol agents and shared the success stories on the basis of the use of biocontrol agents and their benefits.
The training sessions were conducted jointly by Dr. Swapan Ghosh and Dr. Malvika Choudhary from CABI and professors from OUAT. Participants were encouraged to follow the step-by-step production methods to produce the biocontrol agents. These trained participants will act as master trainers and continue to train participants at the local level, creating awareness and building the skills of people at the ground level in the production and use of biocontrol agents.
A highlight of the event was the release of a training manual co-developed by CABI, OUAT and IRRI, which will guide the participants in scaling the technology at ground level.
Dr. Mukund Variar, IRRI State Coordinator for Odisha, expressed appreciation for CABI in promoting biocontrol agents and emphasized that an integrated approach is the need of the hour. Dr. Mukund stressed that the project aims to raise awareness, and build capacity of the stakeholders on Integrated Nutrient and Pest Management and IRRI will continue to put effort into building a sustainable and climate-resilient ecosystem in Odisha.
The workshop brought together 40 participants, including representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Farmer Producer Companies, NGOs, and students and professors from OUAT and IRRI staff.
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