Deputy Speaker N Sakthan said here on Friday that food devoid of pesticides has gained much importance in the present-day world and it was in this context that the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute’s (CTCRI) research and development of bio-pesticides needed to be applauded.
He was speaking after inaugurating the harvest festival and celebration of the successful validation of
bio-pesticides developed by the CTCRI against banana pseudo stem weevil under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana in Pallichal near here.
The Deputy Speaker called for expanding the reach of such innovations across the state so that it would be of help to farmers and consumers of farm-produce.
The CTCRI’s two bio-pesticides - Nanma and Menma - were tested successfully on banana crops under the Sanghamythri Farmers Producer Company Ltd in Pallichal.
The project was undertaken under the aegis of the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA), CTCRI and Sanghamythri Farmers Producer Company Ltd.
According to C A Jayaprakash of the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, the bio-pesticides developed by the CTCRI from Cassava leaves were tested in banana fields of farmers under the Sanghamythri farmers’ collective.
Pointing out that though the CTCRI could work on such innovative measures, Jayaprakash said that the government would have to play a prominent role to make it available to all farmers across the state.
Lauding the role of the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action in making the project a success, he said that the students of the CTCRI had made immense contributions to make the project a success.
C K Peethambaran of the CISSA said that apart from eradicating the menace of banana pseudo stem weevils, the bio-pesticides helped in doing away with many plant diseases and also added to the chlorophyll content in the banana plants.
Many farmers were honoured and Sanghamythri identity cards were distributed to member farmers during the function.
Pallichal panchayat president C K Rakesh presided over the function. Sanghamythri chairman R Balachandran, CTCRI director S K Chakrabarti, Kerala Agricultural University dean Sverup John, Kerala State Horticulture Mission (KSHM) director K Prathapan, Doordarshan Kendra director (news) S Subramanian, Pallichal panchayat standing committee chairman Pallichal Satheesh, District Panchayat vice-president Rufus Daniel and Pallichal Panchayat member Mallika Das were present. P Raghunath of the CISSA proposed a vote of thanks.