Photo:BSS

 
RANGPUR, Mar 2, 2025 (BSS) – To achieve good rice yields through controlling insect infestation in the Rangpur agricultural region, farmers have started choosing the lowest-cost and eco-friendly perching pest management technique for Boro and Aman rice cultivation.
 
Inspired by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), farmers are implementing both live and dead perching techniques to protect rice plants from insect attacks and achieve better rice yields at lower cost and reduce pesticide use.
 
"Farmers are benefiting immensely from adopting the simplest and eco-friendly perching methods to combat insect attacks on Boro and Aman rice plants," said agriculturist Md. Afzal Hossain, additional director of the DAE for Rangpur region.
 
By adopting the perching method, farmers place bamboo poles or tree branches at a certain distance over the rice fields so that the birds can sit there and eat pests harmful to the rice plants, protecting the crops and reducing the use of pesticides.
  
During the current Boro season, the DAE has set a target of cultivating Boro rice on 5,08,978 hectares of land, out of which 4,68,428 hectares of cultivable land will be managed by the perching method.
 
Farmers have already installed bamboo poles or tree branches in 2,45,040 hectares of Boro paddy fields to bring them under the perching system in this region as the process continues.
  
Following a massive motivational and training programme conducted by the DAE, farmers are adopting low-cost, effective and eco-friendly perching methods to protect Boro and Aman rice plants from insect attacks to produce hygienic rice.
 
Dr. Md. Abu Sayem, Deputy Director of the Burirhat Horticulture Center of the DAE in Rangpur, said that indiscriminate use of pesticides also poses a threat to the ecosystem, resulting in the extinction of many local species of fish, beneficial insects, and birds.
    
As a result of the massive motivational activities conducted by the DAE, farmers know how to protect rice plants from insect attacks and save money by using the perching method as the application of this method has been truly productive and profitable.
 
"Farmers will continue to adopt the perching method in Boro rice fields until the end of next month to reduce pesticide costs as well as increase the production of healthier rice in all five districts of Rangpur agricultural region," he added. 
 
Talking to BSS, farmers Isahaque Ali and Mohsin Ali of village Kathihara in Sadar upazila of Rangpur said they are adopting the perching method which helps to produce more hygienic rice minimising cost of insecticides alongside saving the environment. 
 
Farmers Manik Mian of village Darshona and Ariful Haque Batul of village Najirdigar in Rangpur Sadar said the perching method of pests’ management has already become popular among farmers everywhere in the district.
 
Farmer Mofizar Rahman of Dolapara village in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur said that the birds protect the tender rice plants by sitting on the poles of the Boro rice fields and eating insects, ensuring healthy growth.