INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR FARMERS AND OFFICERS

The Biodiversity for Food & Nutrition Project conducted Integrated Pest Management (IPM) trainings at two of the project pilot sites, to address the issues faced by the farmers on pest and diseases that invade crop cultivation; in turn creating awareness on effective pest and disease management strategies. Expert consultation was provided by the experts at the Plant Protection Services, Department of Agriculture and Department of Export Agriculture.

The two pilot sites selected for conducting IMP crop clinics include the Gampola, Giribawa village situated in the Kurunegala District and Udukumbura Village in the Kegalle District.

*Date for crop clinic*	*Pilot Site*	*Major Crops in the site*
07^th October 2016	Udukumbura Village	Paddy, Pepper, Beans, Yard long bean, Banana
14^th December 2016	Gampola, Giribawa village	Paddy, Finger Millet, Foxtail Millet, Cowpea, Maize, Sesame, Yard long bean, Okra.

වී වගාවේ ඒකාබද්ධ පලිබෝධ කළමණාකරණය (Leaflet)

Udukumbura Village

The integrated pest management training at the Ududumbara, Udukumbura village was held with active participation from the villagers at the Udukumbura and Padupola villages. The experts from the Plant Protection Services, Department of Agriculture and Department of Export Agriculture; focused on addressing issues revolving around the major crops in the site including pepper, beans, yard long bean, rice and banana. Presentations and discussions were designed to create awareness about the diseases that were commonly affecting the crops in the area and methods were highlighted on how to manage the diseased conditions and pests using effective pest management strategies. Simple, organic pest management strategies were introduced to minimize the use of synthetic pesticides. Government approved chemicals for effective management was also introduced with proper instructions for usage. Emphasis was made on how the farmers could profit from effective management practices; including proper landscape management and practicing rotational crop cultivation.

Gampola, Giribawa Village

The integrated pest management training at the Gampola, Giribawa village was held with active participation from 110 persons including villagers, framers and school children at the junior school at Gampola, Giribawa. Participation of school children mainly revolved around further development of the school model garden established at the school premises with funding extending out by the Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition Project. During the inauguration ceremony gardening tools and equipments were distributed to the school children to further help school gardening.

The experts from the Plant Protection Services, Department of Agriculture and Department of Export Agriculture; addressed issues revolving around the major crops in the site including paddy, finger millet, foxtail millet, cowpea, maize, sesame, yard long bean, okra. Presentations and discussions were designed to create awareness about the diseases that were commonly affecting the crops in the area and methods were highlighted on how to manage the diseased conditions and pests using effective pest management strategies. Simple, organic pest management strategies were introduced to minimize the use of synthetic pesticides; encouraging school children to practice these methods in home gardening and thereby inculcating good practices.

Emphasis was also made on how the farmers could profit from effective management practices; including proper landscape management, home gardening and practicing rotational crop cultivation.