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Spring potato is one of major cash crop in Kangra district particularly in Nagrota Bagwan, Bhawarna and Bhedumahadev Blocks. This Potato is suitable for chips making purpose. 25000 M.tones potato are produced per year and exported to the neighboring states. The crop in the areas was infested by Potato tuber moth since 1988 onwards in the potato fields as well as in storages. This incidence accounted for 60 - 70 % losses in some of the villages. Farmers were using chemical dust, which was not eco- friendly and safe to consume. With the inception of the ATMA in the district Safe Storage devices viz. Bio Pesticides/pheromone traps were successfully introduced and popularized to tackle the menace of PTM a burning issue of the potato growing areas of Kangra district.

Intervention and process:                                                                          Back to Top

During the 1st year (2001) BTTs with the help of KVK organized 10 farmers training camps regarding control of PTM in fields, stores. The BTTs initiated the process of group formation for dissemination and adoption of this intervention and there by covering more than 500 potato growers of different blocks namely Nagrota bagwan, Bhawarna, Bhedu Mahadev, Kangra, Punchrukhi and Rait.  This intervention was undertaken by 20 FIGs. These FIGs were from Malan, Ambari, Lakhamandal, Sukreh, Baldhar, Ramerh, Baroi, Jadrangal, Tang, Uthra gran, Tangroti, Gihroli in Nagrota Block and Jia, Dadh, Menjha, Saloh, Arla in Bhawarna block and Sulah, Garla Sarkari, Panaper . Sh. Milap Chand of Lakhamandal, Sh. Jai Chand of Ambari, Sh. Bharat and Manohar of Malan Sh. Kuldeep Kumar and Sh. Man Singh of Sukreh were instrumental to adopt and disseminate this intervention and earned additional income of Rs. 15,000 –20,000 by way of reducing the PTM losses by 10-15 %. The exposure visits to success story sites were conducted by BTTs and farmers were motivated for its adoption. The following strategy was introduced for the effective control of PTM.
                                                                                                             
– Installation of Pheromone Traps: To test the efficacy of various Bio pesticides/ Pheromones Water Balted traps and Lure for monitoring insect population in fields and stores.

– Potatoes were Treated with Bio-Pesticides that is Achook @24ml/kg Sand / qt. Potatoes.

– Covering potato heaps by locally available Dry leaves/Powder @ 1 Kg/Qt heap of Ecqualiptus, Lantana, ageratum, Mentha eupatorium for repelling adults moths to escape egg laying on tubers.

The result of the intervention revealed that the potato losses occurred to the extent of more than 60% with no chemical and reduced to 20% with chemical dusting (unsafe to consume) which were further reduced to 5 -10% with the Bio pesticides and Pheromones traps.

The exposure visit of other FIGs/WIGs to Potato growing areas of the this success story sites were organized during the season by the BTTs.

On the basis of performance of eco-friendly bio pesticides and bio control device. this intervention was replicated in other 40 FIGs on a large scale in other Potato growing blocks/AES in the 2nd year.

During 3rd year (2003) of the Project, this intervention was replicated and adopted by 70 FIGs on a large scale. There by benefiting more than 1500 potato growers of the district and hence economic activity worth Rs.30-40 lacs was restored on community basis. Presently this intervention is being successfully adopted and replicated in more than 110 FIGs and thus benefiting the 5000 farmers giving thereby additional income worth Rs. 50 lacs. The FIGs/WIGs members are being regularly trained by ATMA through KVK/ Bio control labs , Agriculture department and at SAU campus.           

Benefits                                                                                                            Back to Top

Previously the damage in Potato crop was estimated to 20% annually. Even after the use of chemical pesticides the Produce was even not safe to consume, but after this intervention the damage is reduced 5-10% thereby saving 1000 m tones potato per season, thus over all additional income worth Rs 50 lacs is obtained.
The special campaign for the control of PTM in Potato fields and storage are also being launched regularly and more than 5000 farmers were trained for the adoption this intervention on a large scale. Seminars/Workshops/trainings/demonstrations advisory services/ Radio talks organized of time to time for safe storage and marketing of potato crops of the area of the district. the direct marketing of the potato has been started. The 10-15% of produce is sold immediately after the harvest to the dealers of getting remunerative prices.

With the active involvement of FIGs/Fos. The conventional practices like dusting/spraying of agro-chemicals recommended for the storage of potato have been replaced by eco-friendly bio pesticide/ bio-devices devices at a large scale and also by using farmer to farmer extension approach.

 

Lesson Learned                                                                                                         Back to Top

• The farmers have been advocated to sell a part of the produce to avoid risk in storage and thus 10-15% of the produce is being sold directly by the farmers immediately after harvest

•  The Technology being cost effective can be popularized and adopted by small and marginal farmer even on sustainable basis.

• Timely availability of bio pesticides (Achook) and bio devices is required at Agro sale service centres.

• The farmers have to stop indiscriminate use of unsafe chemicals/insticides having residual effect and thus deteriorating potato quality.

• FIGs / Potato growers should adopt and replicate this intervention on campaign basis.

• Advisory services on the bases of feedback should continue for sustainable production.
  
   

Replication and Future Impact                                                                    Back to Top

                This technology is required to be replicated further at block levels in potential potato growing pockets of the district by BTTs, FACs and leading group leaders. By this success more farmers in the district are being attracted to the practice and farmers of the district are keen to adopt this practice at mega levels in coming years. Potato based cropping pattern has been sustained. Regular Consultancy, monitoring of crops and other technical guidance is being provided by the KVK/SAU/BTT and CPRI in collaboration with ATMA.

  Case Study                                                                                                                  Back to Top

 Initiation:

•  Indiscriminate use of strong chemicals due to lack of knowledge.

•  Unscientific post harvest handling practices emerged as major issue in SREP.

•  Emphasis was given on bio control devices against PTM.

•  On farm trials to standardize the control of PTM in potato fields and stores were conducted.

• Farmers training camps and exposure visits, demonstrations technology management trainings, potato interaction workshops/ seminars were organized.

Current  Situation:

• 70 FIGs of Potato have been formed.

• Incidence of PTM reduced from 20 % to 5-10%.

•  FIGs have started direct  selling/marketing a part of the produce in local domestic markets to avoid risk in storages. 

•  Potato growers societies and potato federation have been formed at block and district level respectively to facilitates storage and marketing.

• Farmers training camps and exposure visits/ technology management trainings, potato interaction workshops/ seminars are organized for educating the potato growers for sustainable production. 

Future Implication                                                                                          Back to Top

•  Farmers will be motivated to produce potato through organic farming.

• Awareness regarding rural godown scheme for scientific storage will be created.

• Market Information system through IT connectivity  will be strengthened.

•  Availability of bio pesticides and bio control agents at Public Sale Centre will be ensured.

• Regular extension & communication management sport will be strengthened for large adoption of this intervention on sustainable basis.