ICAR IIHR CHES Organises Field Demonstration on Sustainable Pest Management in Spine Gourd cv. Arka Neelachal Shanti

As part of the demonstration programme, Dr Satyapriya Singh, Scientist, along with Dr. Santanu Rakshit, Scientist and Manoj Ku Pattanyak, TO visited the demonstration plot of Mr. Brahmananda Behera at Denga to assess the performance of the pest management module implemented in spine gourd cv. Arka Neelachal Shanti. During the interaction, Mr Behera shared his experience with the demonstrated practices received from CHES, Bhubaneswar and expressed satisfaction with the harvest. He reported that the module had been effective in managing insect pests in the crop. The participating farmers visited the demonstration plot, observed the field-level performance of the technology and expressed interest in adopting the practices.

A field day was also organised to promote healthy cultivation practices and wider adoption of the spine gourd variety Arka Neelachal Shanti developed by ICAR-IIHR-CHES, Bhubaneswar. Dr Shantanu Rakshit, Scientist (Extension), CHES, highlighted the market potential and the prospects for long-term economic returns from Arka Neelachal Shanti and the station's efforts to disseminate the variety among farmers. Mr. Pattanayak stressed the importance of healthy planting material production through cuttings. He also emphasised the use of IIHR technologies, including Arka Vegetable  Special, as part of improved crop management practices for spine gourd cultivation.

Dr Satyapriya Singh explained the major insect pests affecting spine gourd and discussed the sustainable pest management module demonstrated at Denga. He also sensitised farmers on the adverse effects of indiscriminate pesticide use, including risks to human health and the environment, and stressed the need for judicious pesticide application and sustainable crop protection practices.

Mr Kalandi Behera, local coordinator, encouraged farmers to actively participate in technology demonstrations and adopt suitable technologies developed by ICAR-IIHR to improve crop productivity and farm income. Lastly, an interactive session was done to address all farmers’ queries. This program was coordinated by Dr Satyapriya Singh, Dr Shantanu Rakshit, Mr Manoj Kumar Pattanayak under the supervision of the Head, CHES, Bhubaneswar.