RKPA educates farmers on agri-tech practices to tackle new pest

Hyderabad: On the occasion of National Youth Day-2022, Rashtriya Kisan Progressive Association (RKPA) asked chilli growers in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to unite and jointly fight regulators who are stumbling block in getting quality agri-input. The farmers' body advocated the usage of modern agri¬-tech practices to tackle invasive pest like 'ThripsParvispinus'. The new invasive pest has severely impacted the red chilli crop in certain districts of the two states by affecting the plants at the flowering stage and stunting their growth. Heavy rains in the recent months in the growing areas further compounded the problem.

In India, farmers are facing twin problems of spurious pesticides available in the market as well as a lack of awareness regarding the proper usage of agrochemicals to protect their crops. It is important that pesticides should be used in the right quantity based on the soil health of farm land. The RKPA was at the vanguard in pleading for the right to technology for quality agri-inputs in the country.

"With farmers worried that the crop yield might take a hit due to the pest, the solution lies in the use of the right agri-inputs like seeds, fertilizer and appropriate pesticides in suitable quantities. Besides the quality and right quantity, the timing of applying pesticide is also key for proper growth of the crop and tackling invasive pests like Thrips. Use of modern technologies, including drones, robotics, and AI will help in uniform spraying of pesticides," said RKPA.

According to estimates, the two Telugu States account for over 67 per cent of India's chilli production (AP 43.5 per cent and Telangana 23.5 per cent). The problem of the new pest was noticed in early 2020 in red chilli crops in both States.