Light trap, an environmentally sound method for detecting harmful insects, is being promoted by the Directorate of Agricultural Extension in Gopalganj.
The indigenous method is used in the fields in the evening. Farmers place the lights next to the fields and a container of water is placed under the light. Detergent is added to the water in the pot. In the dark, field insects come up to this light. Circling around the light they fall one by one at the pot.
The next step is crucial. The presence of field pests is identified from dead insects and then advice is given to the farmer on pest control. Farmers protect the crop by applying pesticides in the field according to this advice.
The Kotalipara Upazila agriculture office has started executing and promoting the method among farmers in the area.
Krittibas Pandey, sub-assistant plant protection officer at the upazila agriculture office, said that the presence of harmful insects in the field is identified through light traps.Then advice is given to the farmers to eradicate these insects from the fields. “We have started this program. This program will be conducted in each block of the upazila,” he added.
Nitul Roy, upazila agriculture officer, said his office recommends the use of insecticides to control the insects following the application of light traps. “Farmers protect their crops by applying safe pest killers with our advice,” he said.
Mrinal Kanti, a farmer of Khejurbari village, said that every year the agriculture office advises farmers to protect their crops by installing light traps. This year, light traps have been installed in more fields.
Parul Biswas, a farmer of the same village, said that earlier insects used to eat and damage rice. By using light traps farmers are being able to save their crops, he added.
Debashish Das, upazila DAE official, said: “This year farmers have planted Boro rice on 26 thousand 470 hectares of land in Kotalipara…I suggest the use of light traps to control harmful insects to save rice in the fields.”
He said that the DAE's support will not end with setting up light traps only. Once the farmers start harvesting, the DAE will provide additional advice and will extend support in carrying rice to each farmer's house.
