ARS, Tornala - Organize a Training programme on ''Pest and nutrient management in rice with special reference to stem borer'' at Adopted Village, Ibrahimpur on 30-01-2024

A training programme on pest and nutrient management in rice with special reference to stem borer was organized by Agricultural Research Station in collaboration with DAATTC, Tornala and Department of Agriculture, Siddipet duly involving farmers on 30-01-2024 in adopted village of ARS, Tornala, Ibrahimpur, Narayanraopet mandal, Siddipet district. At the outset, some of the farmers shared their experiences about the present problems associated with paddy cultivation viz., stem borer infestation, sulfide injury and zinc deficiency etc. Dr. S. Sridevi, Principal Scientist and Head, ARS, Tornala explained about the improved rice production technologies to achieve higher yields and measures to be taken to control sulfide injury and zinc deficiency. She also gave a brief note on management practices which help in enrichment of soil fertility like importance, scope and need of cultivation of green manuring crops there by reduction of chemical fertilizer, crop rotation and usage of organic manures, etc. Later, Dr. A. Ramadevi, Scientist (Ento.) discussed about the importance of pest surveillance and integrated pest management practices with special reference to control of stem borer and precautionary measures to be taken for the current season. Sri J. Vijay, Coordinator, DAATTC, Tornala explained about best agronomic operations, weed and water management to be followed in paddy cultivation.Further, Smt. A. Saritha, Scientist (Pl. Br.), ARS, Tornala has explained in detail about the paddy seed production aspects viz., importance of source seed, isolation distance, no. of field inspections to be conducted, importance and timing of rouging, precautions to be followed during harvest and post harvest period. Later, Sri A. Shiva Prasad, District Agriculture Officer, Siddipet explained about the farmers practices in paddy cultivation for the resurgence of paddy stem borer in every season and measures to control stem borer. Smt. Y. Padma, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Siddipet expressed her views about the paddy stem borer infestation in Siddipet district. Smt. T. Venkata Ramani, MAO, Narayanraopet mandal explained in brief about the practices followed by the farmers in managing the stemborer in rice in Narayanraopet mandal. After that, Mr. T. Nagarjuna, AEO, Narayanaraopet and some of the farmers shared their experiences about the reduced crop growth and development in paddy in association with stem borer infestation. The programme was concluded with vote of thanks by Smt. A. Saritha, Scientist (Pl. Br.), ARS, Tornala. The programme was attended by Sri Devayya, Sarpanch, Sri K. Nagesh Reddy, RSS President and also 40 farmers.