The grape growers’ convention in Pune gave the farmers an opportunity to get introduced to the ‘Light Trap’ which is an effective and eco-friendly device to control insects and pests. The innovative equipment, which kills only harmful insects and keeps the beneficial ones alive, was so far available only through subsidy programmes. device is useful to kill harmful insects over one hectare of farmland and this device is useful in a variety of crops, including fruit crops, vegetables and all kinds of food-grains.
Device is invented by National Centre for Integrated Pest Management, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); the product is being manufactured by Fine Trap India, a Yavatmal-based company. Recently it was introduced for the private buyers. For the last three years after technology transfer by the ICAR, it was being supplied to only government schemes and subsidy related programmes.
Niraj Mashru, the sales executive of the company informed that the device comprises two parts- the insects’ multiplication chamber and a protective covering or roof. The wire mesh lid at the top allows free entry and exit of parasitic wasps, while it does not allow host insect cultures to come out of the chamber. The main light source at the top of the device attracts phototrophic insects, and after collecting those, the sub-light provided inside facilitates gradation of insects in different categories. The porous wall of the insect collection chamber facilitates this gradation and sieving, and this allows smaller insects which are generally the beneficial ones to fly out of the chamber. The harmful insects can be removed or can be killed inside the chamber. The three feet tall device has a specially designed light bulb, which can’t be used for any other domestic purpose
The field tests of the innovative device had shown encouraging results and was used is various states including Assam, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Mashru added that besides reducing pest population, it also reduces the use of chemical pesticides, maintains balance of ecosystem and the specially designed bulb can withstand heavy rains and can function in heavy rains.
Source: DNA, 20 August 2012, Internet edition.