Chickpea Pest Control: Khargone Farmers Adopt Cost-Free Traditional Method

• Khargone district, heavily reliant on agriculture, cultivates chickpeas on 155,000 hectares during the Rabi season.
• Chickpea crops face significant threat from pod borer (Helicoverpa) and Portfly insects, especially during the flowering stage.
• Traditional pest control methods, like installing T-shaped wooden perches, offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution for farmers.
• Birds perch on these structures and naturally prey on caterpillars and other insects, keeping the fields pest-free without pesticides.
• This method saves farmers money on expensive pesticides and protects the crop, with approximately 20 perches recommended per acre.

Why It Matters: Khargone farmers are successfully using T-shaped perches to naturally control chickpea pests, saving costs.