Pheromone trap gaining popularity among farmers

Environment-friendly 'sex pheromone trap' for killing harmful insects is gaining popularity among the vegetable farmers in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts, thanks to the motivational programme of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

The alternative method appears as a blessing against the backdrop of random use of toxic pesticides that threaten the ecological balance and public health, said agro-officials and farmers. 

In sex pheromone trap, a capsule containing female sex hormone of insects is hung in a plastic bottle with one inch of soap-water and two holes are created in the middle of the container for entrance of insects.

Set in the crop field with two bamboo sticks, the bottle attracts male insects that drown in the soap water. Thus, mating and spread of pests are checked.        

"A trap is needed for every three decimals of vegetable field. Accordingly, 11 traps are enough for a bigha (33.06 acres) of land to check pest attack. Now a capsule sells for Tk 25 and it remains effective for three months," said Azizul Islam, Thakurgaon Sadar upazila agriculture oficer.            

During a recent visit to different villages in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila and Boda and Sadar upazilas of Panchagarh, this correspondent saw that many farmers have set the traps at their vegetable fields including pumpkin and tomato.

"Using sex pheromone traps in my one bigha of tomato field, I have got good result in pest control. The yield is satisfactory too. People show interest to buy the pesticide-free vegetable even for a bit higher price," said Jamal Uddin, 35, of Darikamai village in Panchagarh Sadar upazila.  

Md Arshed Ali, deputy director of the DAE in Thakurgaon, said they have arranged several demonstration plots at different villages to popularise the method among the farmers.    

"Sex pheromone trap has been proved successful to save vegetables like cucurbit and fruits like mango and litchi from pest attack. Besides, if toxic pesticides are not used in crop fields, it attracts beneficial insects like bees that help better pollination and yield," he added.   

Forhad Hossain, owner of Janata Biz Bhandar in Panchagarh, said they have already sold about 10,000 capsules for sex pheromone traps as increasing number of vegetable farmers are using it in their fields.