“Key Informant Survey” of Production, Value, Losses and ... - DfID

CROPS He said that he is growing bitter gourd, smooth gourd and paddy.
BITTER GOURD: He said that he is growing this crop since more than 50-60 years on
share basis. He said that this is good remunerative crop in comparison to other
crops. It gives income up to 10 months as per his views. During last year, he had
planted the crop at the distance of 2.0 m between two rows and 1.0 m between two
plants. He said that he is satisfied with this crop.
BITTER GOURD PESTS He said that his crop is infested by fruit fly, leaf hoppers,
fruit borer and "Dhaliya" (local name of Epilachna beetle).
FRUIT FLY As per his views, this pest cause damage up to 25 to 35% during the season
but it increases only during March-April. He said that he is observing this pests
since 50-60 years. According to him, this pest is main economical constraint, which
cause direct loss. He said that when there is a initiation of fruit setting and
market price is at it's peak (February-March), there is more fruit fly damage. Asked
upon reason for this, he replied that it is due to increase in heat. As heat
increases, the fruit fly infestation increases as per his views. He said that due to
infestation of this pest, the fruit turn yellow and finally fall down.
FRUIT FLY CONTROL He knows two methods of fruit fly control.
FRUIT FLY CONTROL: SPRAY (1) Spraying insecticides He has sprayed his crop with Nuvan
(dichlorvos), Rogor (dimethoate), Monocil (monocrotophos) and Confidor
(imidacloprid). He has also applied Thimet (Phorate) in soil. He said that he is
using insecticides, since he is growing the crop. He has satisfaction with the
insecticide.
FRUIT FLY CONTROL: TRAPS (2) ME traps He is using methyl eugenol (ME) traps
particularly during March to May i.e., peak infestation period. He doesn't know the
exact quantity of ME and DDVP. Simply after soaking the cotton swab in ME and DDVP
mixture, it is placed inside the trap/plastic bottle/empty metal container and hanged
in the pendal. He is also using insecticides even though he has hung the ME traps.
LEAF HOPPERS He said that this pest attacks initially i.e., during February-March
particularly when crop is of 1.0 to 1.5 months old. Since last 10 years, he is
observing this pest. The plants become yellow and weaken due to sucking from the
leaves as per his views. He has sprayed his crop with imidacloprid or dimethoate
mixed with soluble fertilizer and is satisfied with this.
FRUIT BORER He said that this is notorious pests observed only during monsoon period.
He is observing this pest since 10 years. He said that it can cause damage up to
35-40% particularly during July to September. The damage is so severe that spraying
of insecticides is only the way out for this problem. He has sprayed the crop with
monocrotophos, endosulfan, dichlorvos for the control of this pest.
EPILACHNA BEETLE (DHALIYA) He said this 'Dhaliya' (local name of epilachna beetle)
attacks at the end of the crop i.e., during October month. At this stage crop is
nearer to finish, so he is not applying any insecticide to control this pest as per
his views. According to him, you cannot find a single green leaf when there is severe
attack. He said that if attacks start early, when fruiting is on then insecticidal
application is a must. He is using insecticides as per the guidance from
shopkeeper/VLW.
SMOOTH GOURD He has grown the crop at a distance of 2.0 m between two rows and 1.0 m
between two plants. He said that this is also a good remunerative crop next to bitter
gourd. He said that fruit fly is only the pest attack severely. It can cause damage
up to 50-60% during peak activity period. He has used insecticides to control this
pest.
IMFFI Semi-Structured Interview Survey - 13 of 66