Photo: BSS

By Md Mamun Islam

RANGPUR, Sept 11, 2026 (BSS) - In the Rangpur agricultural region, the widespread adoption of natural pest control methods in Aman rice cultivation is enabling farmers to achieve higher yields and produce healthier rice, thereby increasing their profitability.

To increase Aman rice yields in a healthy manner while reducing pesticide costs, farmers are employing three environmentally friendly natural pest control methods: live and dead perching (providing resting spots for birds) and light traps.

Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for Rangpur region Krishibid Md Saiful Islam said that farmers are reaping significant benefits by using traditional methods such as 'perching' and 'light traps' to prevent pest attacks on Aman rice fields.

Adopting environmentally friendly perching pest management techniques for rice cultivation has become popular among farmers to control insect infestations and achieve good yields in Rangpur agricultural region.

"In the perching method, farmers place bamboo poles or tree branches at a certain distance above the rice field so that birds can perch there and eat pests harmful to the rice plants, protecting the crop and reducing the use of pesticides," he said.

Adopting perching methods, farmers have, so far, set up bamboo poles and tree branches as resting spots for birds on 4,19,010 hectares of growing Aman rice fields out of totally cultivated land area of 6,21,310 hectares this season in the agricultural region.

"Of them, farmers have brought over 45,335 hectares of land under the live and 3,73,675 hectares of land under dead perching methods as the process continues in the region while cultivating Aman rice this season," said Krishibid Islam.

At the same time, farmers have set up light traps in transplanted Aman rice fields across 1,902 hectares in the region; of this area, 33 hectares have permanent light traps while 1,869 hectares have temporary ones.

The DAE is conducting programmes to encourage and train farmers in the use of these eco-friendly methods to ensure higher yields by protecting Aman rice crops from pest infestations at various stages of growth.

The indiscriminate use of insecticides and pesticides has put the ecosystem at risk. Consequently, many species of indigenous fish, beneficial insects, and common birds are disappearing while numerous others stand on the brink of extinction.

Talking to BSS, farmer Manik Mia of Darshona village in Rangpur Sadar upazila said that he has used the 'perching' and 'light trap' methods to protect Aman rice crops from pest infestations, reduce pesticide costs and protect the environment.

Similarly, farmers Abul Kalam and Mokhlesur Rahman from different villages of Rangpur said they have understood the importance of the perching and light trap methods which minimize cost of insecticides and save the environment.

Farmers Fazle Lohani, Nur Mohammad and Abdul Kadir of Badarganj upazila in Rangpur said many birds perch on the poles on their growing Aman rice fields to eat insects protecting the growing tender rice plants.

Mofizar Rahman, a farmer from Dolapara village in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur, said that use of the natural perching and light trap methods during Aman rice farming reduces indiscriminate use of pesticides, resulting in higher yields of healthier rice.