Evaluation of farmers adoption on integrated pest management practices in rice cultivation: a case study of the Chhattisgarh plains

Introduction

Rice cultivation is a cornerstone of food security and livelihoods in the Chhattisgarh Plains. However, traditional pest management practices have raised concerns regarding sustainability, environmental harm, and health risks. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a sustainable alternative by integrating biological, cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods for pest control. Despite its benefits, the adoption of IPM practices among rice farmers in the region remains inconsistent due to various constraints. This study evaluates the extent of IPM adoption, identifies barriers faced by farmers, and explores their awareness and practices. By addressing key challenges and providing actionable recommendations, the research aims to promote sustainable rice cultivation, enhance farmer well-being, and safeguard environmental health.

Results and discussion 1. Extent of adoption of cultural practices

The data were also collected from the respondents on the extent of adoption of different cultural practices and the results of the study regarding this are presented under the following headings: Table 1. illustrates the extent of adoption of IPM cultural practices among the respondents. Complete Level of adopted the practice of deep summer ploughing had adopted by (53.44%) of the respondents. Field cleaning was adopted by 34.69 per cent while improved varieties for controlling insect pests were adopted by 4.06 per cent Seed treatment for plant protection was practiced by 27.81 per cent of respondents and trimming of bunds by 32.50 per cent Timely sowing had the highest adoption rate at 64.06 per cent Timely transplanting was practiced by 41.88 per cent of respondents. Water management practices were adopted by 26.25 per cent and cultural operation (Biasi) by 30.31 per cent Proper plant spacing (PP X RR) was practiced by 10.00 per cent of the respondents, while crop rotation was adopted by 23.13 per cent Finally, Intercultural operations and weeding were practiced by 45.94 per cent of respondents. In case of partial level of adopted by respondents. The most widely adopted practice is seed treatment for plant protection, with (20.94%) of respondents implementing it. Deep summer ploughing follows with a 15.94 per cent adoption rate. Adoption of field cleaning and Interculture operations/weeding stands at 10.00 per cent and 10.94 per cent respectively. Improved varieties for insect-pest control are adopted by 8.75 per cent of respondents, while crop rotation has an adoption rate of 8.44 per cent trimming of bunds, cultural operation (Biasi), and timely sowing are less commonly adopted, with rates of 6.56 per cent 6.25 per cent and 4.06 per cent respectively. Timely transplanting and water management are the least adopted practices, with 2.50 per cent and 3.44 per cent adoption rates, respectively. Plant spacing (PP X RR) shows the lowest adoption at 1.88 per cent These figures indicated a varied level of adoption across different IPM cultural practices, highlighting areas where adoption is relatively low and may require additional promotion or support. www.extensionjournal.com 1.2 presents the extent of adoption of complete adopted various IPM mechanical practices. The most widely adopted practice is the coir rope method, implemented by (59.06%) of respondents it. This is followed by the removal and destruction of insect-pest-infested plant parts, adopted by 53.75 per cent of respondents. Destroying insects by hand is practiced by 25.31 per cent of respondents. Adoption rates for trapping methods are relatively low, with only 2.50 per cent using nets, 5.94 per cent using light traps, 0.94 per cent using sticky traps, and a minimal 0.31 per cent employing pheromone traps. In case of partial level of adopted by respondents the removal and destruction of insect pest-infested plant parts is the most widely adopted practice, with (29.38%) of respondents implementing it. Trapping of pests by net follows closely, with 27.81 per cent adoption. The use of the coir rope method and destruction of insects by hand are also notably practiced, with 21.56 per cent and 20.00 per cent adoption rates, respectively. Light traps are used by 19.38 per cent of respondents. Adoption rates for sticky traps and pheromone traps are much lower, with only 4.38 per cent and 0.94 per cent of respondents using them, respectively. Remarkably, none of the respondents have adopted the practice of collecting egg masses and larvae and placing them in a bamboo cage. These results indicate a varied adoption of mechanical practices, with some methods being more commonly used than others.

Extent of adoption of biological practices

Table 1.3 presents the extent of adoption of various IPM biological practices among respondents. Complete level of adoption the most adopted practice is the use of dragonflies, with (5.00%) of respondents implementing this method to control harmful insects. Conservation of natural enemies, such as spiders, is also relatively adopted, with 4.38 per cent of respondents practicing it to manage green leaf hoppers and caterpillars. The adoption rates for other biological practices are notably lower: parasitoids (Trichogramma) are adopted by only 1.25 per cent of respondents, predators (ladybird beetles) by 0.94 per cent and Bacillus thuringiensis by 0.63 per cent and Beauveria bassiana by 0.94 per cent www.extensionjournal.com In case of partial level of adopted by respondents among these, the use of dragonflies is the most widely adopted, with (5.63%) of respondents employing them to manage harmful insects. Conservation of natural enemies, such as spiders, follows with 3.75 per cent adoption, targeting green leaf hoppers and caterpillars. Beauveria bassiana, used against leaf folders, is adopted by 1.56 per cent of respondents. In contrast, parasitoids (Trichogramma) and Bacillus thuringiensis each have a very low adoption rate of 0.94 per cent and 0.63 per cent respectively. Similarly, predators like ladybird beetles have a minimal adoption rate of 0.63 per cent. These figures suggest that although some biological practices are acknowledged and utilized their overall adoption remains relatively low compared to other pest management strategies.

Extent of adoption of chemical practices

Table 1.4 details the extent of adoption of IPM chemical practices for pest control. Complete level of adoption the majority of respondents were insecticides Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC is the most widely adopted chemical practice, with (63.44%) of respondents utilizing it against gall midge, stem borer, and leaf folder. This is followed by Profenophos 40% EC + Cypermethrin 4% EC, with a 53.44 per cent adoption rate, targeting leaf folders and pencil mites. Bifenthrin 10% WP and Imidacloprid 17.8% SL are also commonly used, with adoption rates of 31.88 per cent and 30.63 per cent respectively. Other chemicals such as Acephate 75% SP and Cartap hydrochloride 50% SP have lower adoption rates of 29.38 per cent and 23.44 per cent respectively. Deltamethrin 02.50% WP and Fipronil 05% SC have the lowest adoption rates at 19.06 per cent and 10.00 per cent respectively. The data given in the Table 1.5 expressed that majority of the 80.63 per cent respondents had medium level of adoption of IPM practices who for controlling various insect pests in rice crop, followed by 10.94 per cent of the respondents had low level of adoption 8.44 per cent of the respondents had high level of adoption of insect pest management practices to control the different insect pest of paddy crop.

Conclusion

The study assessed the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices among respondents. Deep summer ploughing was adopted by 53.44% of respondents, while the coir rope method was the most widely adopted mechanical practice (59.06%). Among biological practices, only 5.00% used dragonflies for insect control. Chemical practices showed higher adoption, with 63.44% of respondents using Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC against pests like gall midge and stem borer, and

Acknowledgement

www.extensionjournal.com 69.38% adopting Pendimethalin 30% EC for weed control. For seed treatment, Carbendazim 50% WP was adopted by 43.13% to manage diseases like Blast and Sheath Blight. Overall, 80.63% of respondents exhibited a medium level of adoption of IPM practices, indicating room for further enhancement.

References

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