26 September 2023, New Delhi: ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes – Pune, and IPL Biologicals of New Delhi, hosted a field day in Nashik, Maharashtra, unveiling a demonstration of technology for ‘Bio-intensive disease and pest management in grapes’. Initiated in 2018-19 across five Nashik locations, the collaborative project aimed to reduce chemical pesticide use, favoring biocontrol agents for grape growers.
Upon comparing standard growers’ plots with those using the demonstrated technology, remarkable findings were observed. The newer method not only decreased the number of pesticide sprays but also lowered pesticide residue detections.
ICAR-NRCG scientists highlighted the potential benefits of integrating more biocontrol agents and recommended that chemical pesticide use be strictly need-based. Encouragingly, growers expressed keen interest and readiness to implement the new technology this season.
As an additional gesture, the Pesticide Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI), Mumbai, generously distributed safety kits to farmers, underscoring the importance of safe pesticide application.
