The All India Coordinated Research Project on Biological Control of Crop Pests (AICRP- BC), Division of Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K Shalimar, Thursday conducted a material distribution-cum-scientist–farmer interaction programme at Chittey Bandey, Bandipora on May 15. The programme was sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR-NBAIR), Bangalore.
During the event, Dr. Rizwana Khursheed (Principal Investigator) and Dr. Mudasir Gani (Co-Principal Investigator) delivered comprehensive presentations on insect pest management in apple and other crops. Prof. Akhtar Ali Khan, Head of the Division of Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, emphasized the importance of managing aphids in apple orchards and vegetable crops. As part of the ICAR-NBAIR sponsored Tribal Sub-Plan, essential pest management materials including hand sprayers, pheromone traps, gunny cloth, protective gear, and neem oil were distributed to 25 tribal farmers of the area. The tribal farmers appreciated the efforts of SKUAST-Kashmir and expressed interest in similar future programmes aimed at reducing pesticide use in agriculture and improving their economic returns.
