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

(mother) feed voraciously on leaf lamina & flower by making irregular patches and
holes.
SEMI-LOOPER Semi-looper became main problem since last 4 to 5 years. Caterpillars cut
the edges of leaf lamina, fold the leaf & feed within the roll, sometimes the
attacked plants totally denuded of the leaves. Larvae also bore into the fruits.
FRUIT FLY Fruit fly is somehow a problem since last 3 to 4 years in bitter gourd. It
becomes problem in the sense that larval feed on the pulp of fruits & infested fruits
show brown juice oozing out of infested fruits that start rotting, get distorted fall
off from plants prematurely. Relative to other pests, it is particularly bad in the
sense that it can not be controlled by using of insecticides. This pest causes 3-4%,
4-5% and 2-3%, damage to bitter gourd, ridge gourd and cucumber, respectively. The
detailed damage caused by fruit flies were not known to the farmer however he told
that severity was noticed in the bitter gourd crop during the month of March i.e.
last month of harvesting period. Its extent of damage is not the same in every.
INSECTICIDAL FRUIT FLY CONTROL For controlling fruit flies the farmer used pesticide
(sevin) not any poison bait. Cover spraying of is done when the fruit shows some
holes on the surface. This has been started with the consultation with local
pesticide shopkeeper . When used for the first time, farmer thought whether this
pesticide can control or not the symptom. It performed in the sense that it
controlled ( probably semi looper) to some extent.
OTHER FRUIT FLY CONTROLS Farmer is not aware of other possible means of fly control.
#B005 DATE:04/03 TEAM:HSS/ASK. Village Kumarbasta. The farm area is of about 6 acres
for 7 family members. For about twelve months, the farm harvest feed the family. Farm
family does not have any other job outside farm.
CROPS He grows paddy, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, brinjal okra and cucumber. From 6
acres 1 acre is meant for bitter gourd crop.
BITTER GOURD HISTORY His ancestors started bitter gourd cultivation before 50 years
along with other villagers as an income generation activity. Relative to the other
crops grown round here, its great advantages is that this crop gives more profit
compared to other vegetable crops & grown by most of the farmers of his villages.
Marketing net work for this crop is very good. The main problem is bringing
pokasungha woods which is used for pandal preparations. Marketing of hybrid better
gourd becomes a problem in the local market.
RIDGE GOURD HISTORY He has been growing Ridge gourd since last 30 after the harvest
of bitter gourd crop. Seeds are sown in the month of June. 2 to 3 seeds are sown in
one place & irrigation water is given individually to each basin with bucket or
mathia. For the first time when his father started the cultivation of this crop he
thought whether the crop will success or not. The crop condition was very good with
little attack of insect pests. Relative to other crops the great advantages was that
marketing is very good for this crop with little problems.
RICE Paddy is attacked by Rice stem borer, Gall midge and Brown plant hopper. This is
an important crop as it feeds the family for 12 months.
CUCURBIT PESTS Bitter gourd is infested by Epilachna beetle and semilooper, Ridge
gourd by Epilachna beetle, mites, and Cucumber by Semilooper
EPILACHNA Epilachna Beetle is a problem since last 4 to 5 years. It causes mainly
damage to bitter gourd & ridge gourd crops during its peak growth & flowering stage.
The beetles and grubs feed voraciously on leaf lamina & flowers by making irregular
holes and patches. Relative to the other pests round here, it is particularly bad in
IMFFI Semi-Structured Interview Survey - 45 of 66