Online Training on Crop protection measure against Monsoon Diseases of spice Crops in Wayanad District of Kerala
Monsoon is also the season for prevalence of various pests and diseases especially in spice crops. Diseases such as quick wilt and slow wilt in pepper, rhizome rot and blight disease in ginger, rotting in turmeric etc. are some of the important diseases that needs attention. Farmers across the state and especially in Wayanad are incurring huge crop and income loss due to lack of awareness on control measures to be adopted to minimise losses due to these fatal diseases. On this background an online training on monsoon management of spice crops was organized at MSSRF- Community Agrobiodiversity Center, Wayanad in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Calicut on 2nd July 2021
During the training programme the farmers were oriented to follow an integrated approach in spice cultivation by Dr. Praveeena, Senior Scientist. Plant Pathology, Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR-ICAR) Calicut. She also stressed on the importance of various management practices such as chemical, physical and biological control measures for the control of pest and diseases in spice crops. Dr. Lijo (Scientist, IISR) highlighted on the importance of planting disease resistant varieties to protect against mortal diseases such as quick wilt. He emphasised on the importance of prophylaxis measures to be adopted before the onset of rainy season especially on the importance of application of the Bordeaux mixture to pepper vines. Dr. V. Srinivasan (Principal Scientist, IISR) told about the support services provided by IISR to farmers and students.
Dr. Shakeela, Director, CAbC MSSRF urged the farmers to use biological control measures in their plot and ushered that CAbC could will provide quality biological inputs for farming. Materials such as Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Beauveria bassiana etc. will be produced in the laboratory and given to farmers as and when required. She also said that CAbC nurtures several women self-help groups (SHGs) who are producing these inputs at various Grama Panchayaths of Wayanad district.
The online seminar was attended by 60 farmers from various villages in Wayanad, namely Padichira, Noolpuzha, Pozhuthana and Pulpally. In the seminar Sri. Sanil P.C welcomed the participants and Miss. Aparna Joseph proposed the vote of thanks.