Joypurhat, Oct 11 (V7N) – Farmers in Kalai upazila have successfully transplanted Aman rice seedlings on time this season, covering approximately 12,970 hectares across the region. Favorable weather and the absence of natural disasters have contributed to the healthy growth of the transplanted seedlings, which now sway gently in the wind.
Following guidance from the District Agriculture Department, most farmers in Kalai have employed the environmentally friendly and cost-effective perching method instead of chemical pesticides to control pests in their rice fields. This traditional method allows farmers to protect their crops without applying harmful chemicals while also reducing labor and expenses associated with pesticide use.
Field observations across the upazila show that farmers are using perching to combat various harmful insects such as leaf folders, stem borers, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, and other crop-damaging pests. The method involves placing bamboo poles, branches, and dead plants at intervals of 10 to 12 hands across the rice fields. Birds such as mynas, shrikes, bulbuls, and crows perch on these supports and naturally feed on the pests while resting intermittently.
There are two types of perching: dead perching, which uses bamboo, sticks, or dead branches, and live perching, which uses living trees such as banana or other plants. Farmers have noted that using these perches reduces pesticide use, preserves environmental balance, and increases profitability due to lower production costs.
Local farmers reported positive results. Samsul Alam of Nawana village said he transplanted six bighas of Ufshee variety Aman rice and placed bamboo poles and dead branches in the field to deter stem borers and leaf pests. He observed that the birds were effectively consuming the harmful insects, eliminating the need for pesticides and improving yield. Similarly, Anisur from Bohuti village noted that after two years of severe pest attacks, adopting the perching method under guidance from the Kalai Agriculture Office has produced fruitful results.
Zahidul Islam, another local farmer, added that placing bamboo poles and branches immediately after transplanting seedlings effectively controls pests and enhances productivity. He emphasized that this environmentally friendly method has gained popularity among local farmers due to its effectiveness and cost-efficiency.
Assistant Plant Protection Officer at Kalai Upazila Agriculture Office stated that perching is particularly effective against leaf folders, stem borers, grasshoppers, and other harmful pests. Using this method eliminates the need for chemical pesticides, reduces production costs, and ensures higher yields. The Upazila Agriculture Officer further highlighted that excessive pesticide use in previous years not only killed harmful pests but also destroyed beneficial insects, harming the ecosystem. The perching method maintains ecological balance while increasing farmers’ financial gains and protecting crops from pest damage.
This season, the wide adoption of perching in Kalai upazila reflects a growing shift toward sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, allowing farmers to increase productivity while preserving the natural ecosystem.
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