Sustainable Agriculture is the basic need of Indian Agriculturist. They have to know about the diseases and insects controlled by pesticides through plant protection agencies, which are hazardous to plants, soil, animals, human being and beneficial insects. The used pesticides have also developed resistance in the pests and residues in the oils, water, vegetables, pulses, cereals, fishes, poultries and milk products which turn out to be hazardous to health. With the development of biotechnology concept and a mandate for ecological safe products like bio-pesticide and bio-agents, sustainable ways have been introduced in cultivation methodology.
The main pesticides and agents, which are in use are Neem oil, B.T., Trichoderma, Tricho-cards, NPV and Pheromone Traps, and Trichoderma is in maximum use. The developed laboratory may fulfill through the different activities of the project:
- To make available good quality of bio-pesticides to the farmers;
- To maximise crop production and minimise input costs ;
- To minimise environmental pollution (in air, water and soil) and occupational health hazards due to chemical pesticides;
- To preserve eco-system and main ecological environment;
- To minimise residues of chemical pesticides in the crop yield and maximise yield price in the international market.
- Standardization of technology for protection of different crops against pests.
- Standardization of methods of mass production of predators, parasitoids & pathogens.
- Utilization and evaluation of predators, parasitoids and pathogens in different agro-ecosystem.
- Training to the trainers & farmers in identification, production, utilization and evaluation of bio-control agents.
- Conservation and augmentation of natural enemies already present in the farmer’s fields.
- Multiplication of bio-agents in the laboratory and subsequent release in the farmer’s fields against target pests.