Ludhiana, December 15
The Punjab State Farmers Commission Chairman, Dr G.S. Kalkat, today said that increased production and intensive cropping during the past four decades had enhanced foodgrain production and also made the agro-eco-system vulnerable to wide range of insects, pests and diseases.
Delivering his keynote address at the inaugural function of the first congress on insect science at Punjab Agricultural University, here today, he said, “There have been several examples about the use of oils, chemicals, burning and bio-agents for the control of insects and mite pests and these should be incorporated in the modern integrated pest management (IPM) technologies.” He called upon scientists to work on the new IPM technology incorporating chemical, cultural, mechanical and biological means and develop insect resistant varieties of crops.
Dr Kalkat said in spite of the increased use of insecticides and pesticides , losses due to insects and pests had increased steadily over the years from 30 per cent in the early 70s to 45 per cent at present. “Every year, we lose crop produce worth Rs 29,000 crore due to pests.” The increased use of pesticides and insecticides to check these losses were not only adding to the cost of cultivation but also playing havoc with the environment. “Degradation of soil, emergence of new pests and diseases and environmental pollution due to agro-chemicals are some of the consequences of the increased use of chemicals,” he remarked.
Besides crop losses, these insects and pests were posing a danger to human beings as well. They inflicted humans with their stings and caused damage in the form of simple rashes to more serious medical conditions like urticaria, temporary blindness, infections and sometimes even death.
Dr Kalkat exhorted the scientists to evolve a pest control technology based on sound ecological principles so that efficient pest control was achieved without disturbing the environment.
The PAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr K.S. Aulakh, in his presidential address stressed on the need to lower dependence on chemical means of insect/pest control. Punjab, at present, consumed 7200 tonnes of pesticides which was higher as compared to other states like UP, Tamil Naidu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Dr Aulakh pointed out that pollution of soil, water and air was not because of excessive use of chemical but because “we are not using right doses of plant protection chemicals at the right time in the right manner”. Laced with statistics, he said that just 1 per cent of the applied pesticide actually attacks insects/pests, while the rest 99 per cent waste causes damage to the environment. “These free chemicals in the environment poison people, animals and also contaminate soil and water”.
Commenting upon the role of biotechnological application, he said, “We must pump more money in research to evolve ways of insect pest control. All modes of insect management should be adopted to reduce losses from insect pest and environmental pollution.”
The president of the Indian Society for the Advancement of Insect Science and Dean, Postgraduate Studies, Dr Darshan Singh, welcomed the delegates.
The PAU’s Director of Research, Dr. B.S. Dhillon, called upon the entomologists to evolve new ways of pest control so that damage to the crops was minimised and environment kept clean.
The chief organiser of the congress and Head, Department of Entomology, Dr. G.S. Deol, proposed a vote of thanks. The three-day congress has attracted eminent entomologists from all over the country.
