Yellow Sticky Traps Reduce Pesticide Use in Cumin production at Rajasthan

12 Dec, 2021

Cumin, commonly known in Hindi as jeera, is a widely used spice in various food cuisines and carries inbuilt medicinal properties. It is a prominent seed spice crop with good export potential and extensive domestic use in India. As a high-value seed spice, it is cultivated in many arid and semi-arid parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. But it is plagued by a variety of diseases and insect-pests such as wilt, blight, powdery mildew and insect infestation by aphids and thrips in moderate to severe form. Currently, an array of fungicides and insecticides are used to control these diseases.

Most cumin farmers apply pesticides on a calendar basis when pest infestation is suspected. Instead of understanding the true extent of the pest infestation and using the prescribed dosage at the correct stage of the crop, these pesticides are used without awareness of their impact on the crop and human health. Recently, these farmers are facing many issues on the quality production of cumin as well. To reduce the impact of pesticides on the crop as well as end produce, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methodology addresses the harmful impact of synthetic chemical pesticides on the environment while remaining in favour of the farmers.

Due to the high cost of pesticides and many health-related risks, farmers are encouraged to adopt IPM techniques which will ultimately reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides. These techniques involve many cultural, biological, and mechanical practices to control the pests and reduce the application of pesticides. There is a need for greater awareness and capacity building of farmers towards sustainable agriculture practices. The developPPP.de project with AVT McCormick is working to strengthen the capacities of small farmers on sustainable agricultural practices while creating awareness on sustainable production of cumin in Rajasthan.

Cumin is very susceptible to aphid attacks. Thus, placing Yellow Sticky Traps in the cumin field is an effective way of controlling them. The devleopPPP project has demonstrated and distributed 50,000 yellow traps to 650 Cumin farmers in the Barmer and Jaisalmer districts of Rajasthan. As a result, pesticide use has reduced considerably leading to less input cost for the farmer, lesser exposure of workers to pesticides and ultimately, lesser pesticides.