Training prog for tribals focuses on safe use of pesticides
Speaking during a Field Day hosted by the varsity with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and the Skill Development Centre (SDC), UAS Bangalore, under the Tribal Sub-Plan at Basavanagiri Haadi and Sollepura in HD Kote taluk, he emphasised the importance of the safe usage of pesticides, saying they can contaminate natural resources and leave harmful residues behind. The VC added, "Given that many of these tribal farmers are first-generation agriculturists with less than a decade of experience, the training served as an essential primer on both current challenges and sustainable practices.
"
Over 100 tribal farmers in the two villages set an example in safe and climate-smart sustainable agriculture, which was displayed during the event on Tuesday. The initiative forms part of the project that focuses on the safe use of pesticides for the healthy livelihood of tribal farmers.
Intensive training
The selected farmers participated in a 5-day intensive programme at the Farmers' Training Institute (FTI), UAS Bangalore, before returning to their villages to implement the techniques. Each participant received agricultural inputs, including cotton and sorghum seeds, fertilisers, pesticide sprayers, tarpaulins, bio-fungicides, and personal protective gear for spraying.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Training prog for tribals focuses on safe use of pesticides
Mysuru: Vice chancellor of University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, SV Suresha said that climate change poses challenges to agricultural practices, necessitating new crop varieties and technologies, which the university is addressing through many projects. Speaking during a Field Day hosted by the varsity with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and the Skill Development Centre (SDC), UAS Bangalore, under the Tribal Sub-Plan at Basavanagiri Haadi and Sollepura in HD Kote taluk, he emphasised the importance of the safe usage of pesticides, saying they can contaminate natural resources and leave harmful residues behind. The VC added, "Given that many of these tribal farmers are first-generation agriculturists with less than a decade of experience, the training served as an essential primer on both current challenges and sustainable practices. " Over 100 tribal farmers in the two villages set an example in safe and climate-smart sustainable agriculture, which was displayed during the event on Tuesday. The initiative forms part of the project that focuses on the safe use of pesticides for the healthy livelihood of tribal farmers. Intensive training The selected farmers participated in a 5-day intensive programme at the Farmers' Training Institute (FTI), UAS Bangalore, before returning to their villages to implement the techniques. Each participant received agricultural inputs, including cotton and sorghum seeds, fertilisers, pesticide sprayers, tarpaulins, bio-fungicides, and personal protective gear for spraying.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Tribal farmers embrace climate-smart agriculture and safe crop protection measures with ICAR–UAS Bangalore
MYSURU: Over 100 tribal farmers from Basavanagiri Haadi and Sollepura villages in H.D. Kote taluk are emerging as role models in climate-smart and safe sustainable agriculture. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This achievement is part of two key initiatives—'Ensuring safe use of pesticide for healthy livelihood of tribal farmers during crop protection operations' and 'Adoption of climate-smart integrated crop systems to improve the livelihood of ST population through field demonstrations, input supply and improved technology dissemination to mitigate the effects of climate change.' The projects are being implemented by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, with funding from the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and the Skill Development Centre (SDC), UAS Bangalore, under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP). A field demonstration held on July 29 showcased live implementation of climate-resilient agricultural technologies and safe pesticide practices. The demo covered 50 acres of cotton, 75 acres of sorghum, and 100 acres of vegetable and fruit crops, all cultivated by tribal farmers trained at GKVK, UAS Bangalore. Speaking on the occasion, UAS Vice Chancellor Dr. S.V. Suresha said, 'Climate change poses serious challenges to agriculture. These must be met with new crop varieties and advanced technologies, which our university is introducing through such projects.' He also emphasized the importance of safe pesticide use, warning that misuse can harm both life and the environment by contaminating natural resources and leaving harmful residues. Given that many of the participating tribal farmers are first-generation agriculturists with less than ten years of experience, the training they received proved critical. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Farmers attended a five-day intensive course at the Farmers Training Institute (FTI), UAS Bangalore, before applying the techniques in their fields. Each farmer received essential inputs—cotton and sorghum seeds, fertilizers, pesticide sprayers, tarpaulins, bio-fungicides, and personal protective equipment. The visible success of their harvests was also credited to timely field advice and interventions by Dr. Manjula (Plant Pathologist) and Dr. Somshekar (Agronomist). 'Farmers have successfully grown their crops by implementing the technologies provided during the training,' said Dr. Nagaratna, Director of the PPMC Cell. Dr. Shivaram, Director of Research, highlighted the importance of adjusting sowing windows and cropping patterns based on current rainfall trends. The field day served as a platform for demonstrating and disseminating climate-resilient and safety-conscious agricultural practices among tribal communities, reinforcing the success and replicability of the model.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Honey turns sour as beehives in Karnataka come under attack
Bengaluru: Beekeepers across the state are facing a serious new threat: the invasion of small hive beetles, which is wreaking havoc on bee colonies and leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. With over 60,000 beekeepers and an annual honey production of around 1,200 metric tons, the state has long been a buzzing hub for apiculture. However, these industrious insects are now under siege as the fast-spreading pest feeds on pollen, honey, and even dead bees. The larvae of small hive beetle are particularly damaging, destroying hives by consuming the protein-rich pollen and secreting a foul mucus that sours the honey and drives entire colonies to flee. The result is empty hives, plummeting honey yields, and heavy financial losses for apiculturists. What used to be prevalent in parts of southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Burma has now entered the Indian subcontinent as well, impacting apiaries across India. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Scientists from the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bengaluru, who have been closely tracking this pest for the past year, have started ringing the alarm bells loudly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo The control measures suggested by them include regular inspection of the bee colonies and maintaining hive hygiene, stopping the collection and supply of infected colonies from neighbouring states or within the state, burning and destroying the pest-affected hives, and completely cleaning the hives. Dr KS Jagadish, professor and head of the department of apiculture at UAS, revealed these beetles entered India through West Bengal and have now spread across the country. "Interstate transportation of colonies has contributed to the spread. While it impacts both species of honey bees — Apis cerana and Apis mellifera — the former has suffered the worst as the entire colony flees if infected. These species cannot withstand even a slight disturbance to their colonies and immediately, vacate the colony if there is an external invasion," he explained. Dr Vijay Kumar, another scientist at UAS, said, "We have been advising apiculturists to adopt the best hygiene practices, including cleaning the bottom board once every 8 to 10 days. The beetle is just 2 to 3 millimetres in size and hard like rubber but can lay 300 to 400 eggs. Hence, one should not allow the accumulation of dust and broken twigs at the bottom boards. During the shifting of colonies, if one comes across dark brown coloured brood, they must carefully verify and assess for these beetles. If beetles are found, farmers should immediately pick them manually and kill them. Even though we have been working on few bio control agents, currently, there is no other alternative to contain its spread." Mahadeva Swamy, an apiculturist from MM Hills, said, "Scientists and horticulture officials visited our farm for a survey. Luckily, we are free of infection as we do not source any colony from outside. However, there have been reports that in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other southern states, it is spreading fast."
