Perception of Cultural Methods among Trained ...

Perception of Cultural Methods among Trained Paddy Farmers on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Kollidam Block of Nagapattinam District

Author Name : Balamurugan. V, M. Natarajan

ABSTRACT In 1992, the Government of India introduced the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program using a farmer's field school approach, initially targeting rice and cotton crops, which account for over 78% of total pesticide use. By conducting intensive demonstrations and maintaining frequent communication through mass media about pest occurrences and management strategies, IPM has been implemented at the farmer level. IPM is a sustainable agricultural practice grounded in sound ecological principles. Although the concept of IPM has been around for nearly thirty years, pesticide use has not significantly decreased. IPM focuses on integrating various compatible methods to manage pests, including insects, pathogens, and weeds, either individually or in combination. This approach aims to provide economic benefits to both farmers and society. Key criteria in IPM include economic injury levels (EIL) and pest populations. Paddy, a vital food grain crop in India, plays a major role in agriculture. While the Green Revolution led to increased productivity, it also brought about several negative ecological and social effects. Problems have emerged due to the excessive and indiscriminate use of pesticides, which has led to lower yields and economic losses. A sample of 120 farmers was selected, consisting of 60 trained and 60 untrained farmers. Data was collected through structured interviews and analyzed using simple percentage methods. The results indicate that trained paddy farmers generally have a higher level of knowledge.