Adoption of rodent pest management strategies by farmers of district Ludhiana, Punjab

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess adoption of rodent pest management strategies by farmers in District Ludhiana, Punjab during the year 2017-18. Farmers belonging to three villages, namely Barewaal Dogra (maintenance area), Kutbewaal Gujran (neglected area) and Ladiyan Kalan (survey area) having land holding ranging from 2.0-32.0 acres were selected. The pre-dominant rodent pest species in area under study was Bandicota bengalensis followed by Tatera indica, Millardia meltada and Mus boodguga. Education and training was provided to farmers belonging to maintenance and neglected villages whereas free rodenticide baits were distributed among farmers of maintenance village only. In survey village, no such activity was performed and kept as reference area. KAP survey (Knowledge Aptitude and Practice) of farmers before imparting education during paddy crop period revealed similar rodent control practices being used by farmers in all the three selected villages. Subsequent KAP survey during wheat crop period for impact assessment revealed the sustainability of education and training already imparted during paddy crop period. About 41-92% increase in farmers observing recommended rodent control practices during crop production was noticed. So timely education and free rodenticide bait distribution are important factors responsible for adoption and sustainability of rodent control strategies by the farmers. Farmer can save food grains (33.09 kg paddy/acre and 36.39 kg wheat/acre) with an economic benefit (Rs. 500.09-575.66/acre) and cost: benefit ratio of 1: 36 to 1: 39 by using education, training and free rodenticides which will help in food security.