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Thursday, May 15, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Thursday, May 15, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
THE METHOD: Women members of a self-help group at Erukkalakottai in Pudukottai district explaining the process of preparation of bio-parasites. — PUDUKOTTAI: It may appear to be a mind-boggling exercise, but a handful of semi-literate women at a couple of villages in the district are all at ease in not only preparing their end-product – a bio-pest, but also in explaining it scientifically. Members of two women self-help groups (SHGs) in the district have taken to developing trichogramma parasite, a bio-pest, for use as a pesticide particularly in sugarcane, pulses, paddy and cotton fields. Explaining the scientific strategy for the process, animator of ‘Marikozhundhu SHG’ at Erukkalakottai village in Rajendrapuram village panchayat S. Banumathy, a semi-literate woman, says that a mixture of ‘kambu,’, some groundnut, yeast and sulphur is prepared for producing the parasite. “The trichogramma can be used to control the incidence of diseases such as inter-node borer in sugarcane; stem-borer in paddy pod-borer in pulses, boll-worm in cotton and fruit-borer in vegetables,” they say. Training givenThe women members underwent a training on the production of of the bio-pest, imparted by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation’s unit in Pudukottai. District Supply and Marketing Society, which formed the SHGs, ensured marketability for the end-product through a tie-up with a private sugar factory in the district. “The sugar-cane growers in and around Aranthangi are the largest beneficiaries of the trichogramma technology,” says Principal Scientist of the Foundation M. Nageswaran. Trichogramma parasites survive in the sugarcane fields by preying on harmful pests, thereby benefiting the farmers in a big way. DSMS secretary S. Sathyaseelan points out this was the first group activity in the State to produce the bio-pest although similar ventures had been taken up by individuals in certain places including Tiruchi. On an average, each member earned a daily wage of Rs.30. The income, which has currently registered a dip in the wake of summer, would stabilise during monsoon. The DSMS has planned to provide additional infrastructure to the SHG in Erukalakottai village including setting up of a spacious shed and supply of trays. The DSMS would also ensure bulk stocking of ‘kambu,’ one of the main raw-materials required for the activity. Women members of another SHG have taken up a similar activity at Samathuvam village in Thozhuvankadu village panchayat near Aranthangi, he added. Awareness creationAwareness would be created among horticultural farmers and cotton-growers about the efficacy of the trichogramma to widen the marketing network for the bio-pest, he added.
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