Eco-friendly bags to protect brinjal from pests

A farmer of Sadar upazila in the district is using environment-friendly bagging method, an effective alternative to the use of chemical pesticides, at his brinjal field this season.

Jalaluddin, 58, of Bahorom village in Ranihati union of Sadar upazila, became interested in using the specialised bags, imported by a local businessman from China, following its successful application in different mango orchards of Chapainawabganj district last year.

The alternative method appears as a blessing against the backdrop of random use of pesticides and fungicides that threaten ecological balance and public health, said scientists of the Regional Horticulture Research Station, Chapainawabganj.

"I came to know about the bagging method from a local agriculture officer and bought the bags, each for Tk 3. I planted brinjal on 15 decimals of land by spending only Tk 5,000 and," Jalaluddin said during this correspondent's visit to his field on Friday.

"I stopped spraying chemical pesticides after bagging the fruits for the first time this year. Knowing the matter, people buy the brinjal at Tk 20 per kg while it is selling for Tk 12 to 15 in the local market.

"I earned about Tk 15,000 by selling brinjal in last one and a half months. I expect to earn Tk 15,000 to 20,000 more from the same field this season," Jalal said.

"I have become a buyer of Jalal's brinjal as it is free from chemicals, said Durul Huda, chairman of Ranihati union parishad.

When the brinjal reaches two to three days, the bags are put on the fruits and remain so till the harvest. The same bag can be used several times after harvesting the crop.

By protecting brinjal from diseases and pests, the cheaper and safer method will boost the quality of yield, said Dr Sorof Uddin, senior scientific officer of Regional Horticulture Research Station.