AMU organises Kisan Gosthi on Pest and Disease Problems in Rice

Pest and Disease Problems in Rice: AMU’s Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Plant Protection, and Kisan Gosthi (farmers’ symposium) on “Major Pest and Disease Problems in Rice and Their Management” were the topics of the symposium.

The intention was to educate farmers in Aligarh and surrounding regions about the pest and disease issues affecting rice, as well as to provide them with pertinent information for diagnosis and practical management strategies.

Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, who served as the opening session’s special guest, discussed his worldwide experiences in agriculture. He commended the agency for planning such significant and demand-driven events to provide assistance and consulting to farmers for crop protection.

Prof. Gulrez stressed the necessity for a communal commitment to sustainable agriculture, warning that failing to use our natural resources wisely could have disastrous effects in the near future. He also emphasised the value of agriculture to both civilization and human life.

Lal Bahadur Shastri’s iconic phrase “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” was used by the guest of honour, Dr. Mujibullah Zuberi, the Controller of Examination, to introduce himself. He emphasised that this catchphrase, which honours the bravery of troops and the commitment of farmers, is still relevant today.

Prof. Akram Ahmad Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, emphasised the need for farmers to have the knowledge and technology necessary to harness the benefits of agricultural breakthroughs and to double their revenue.

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Kisan Gosthi on Pest and Disease Problems in Rice

Overuse of fertilisers and pesticides, according to the district agriculture officer Mr. Abhinandan Singh, can be detrimental to the environment and crop quality.

In his speech, Plant Protection Officer Mr. Amit Jaiswal emphasised the value of integrated pest and disease management for protecting crops.

Mr. Rupesh Mondal, the Block Development Officer for Jawan, lauded the Department of Plant Protection’s efforts in organising an important Kisan Gosthi and asked the farmers to utilise it to their fullest potential in order to produce healthy crops.

The session’s chief guest, Prof. Mohammad Gulrez, as well as the other visitors, instructors, and farmers in attendance were earlier welcomed by Prof. Mujeebur Rahman Khan, the department’s chairman and organising secretary.

In order to avert yield losses in the present rice harvest, he noted that the illnesses root-knot, bakanae, sheath blight, bacterial blight, etc., as well as the insects yellow stem borer, leaf folder, and leaf hopper, among others, have severely damaged the rice crop in and around Aligarh.

The Vice Chancellor and other dignitaries released a thorough technical bulletin that highlighted rice pests and diseases and how to handle them. This bulletin was then given to farmers to help them manage the issue.

Farmers’ interactive and consulting sessions were held after the opening session, which was followed by a lecture session.

The knowledge of Prof. Mujeebur Rahman Khan regarding the nematode issues in rice was provided. He gave a thorough introduction to nematodes, their effects on rice crops, and useful management techniques.

Professor P.Q. Rizvi discussed the insect pests that impact rice. His talk examined the wide range of insect pests that pose risks to rice farming and clarified efficient control strategies.

Dr. Ziaul Haque discussed bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases that affect rice harvests.

In the third session of the programme, farmers interacted with each other and received consultation on the problems with rice and how to fix them.

Agriculturists, especially women farmers, interacted with them and posed inquiries.

Dr. Ziaul Haque performed a live demonstration of fungi/bacterial infection in rice to highlight the detrimental effects of fungal diseases, while Prof. M. R. Khan and Dr. Rizwan A. Ansari exhibited nematode infestation in rice.

Entomologist Dr. Syed Kamran Ahmad presented preserved specimens of the insect pests that attack rice plants.

 

The farmers praised the scheme and wished there might be more like it in the future.They asked for the organisation of a campaign for Rabi crops in November with a particular focus on nematodes, insects, and illnesses in wheat and pulses.