| Details of Innovation |
Green larvae suck out the nutritive elements from the leaves of the Indian cotton crop. Once affected, the leaves are prone to droop and drop down. The green larva also eats up cotton developing in the shells of Indian cotton (Gossypium herbaceum) plants. This leads to terrible loss of production for the grower. So, to avoid the fate befalling most of his fellow-growers, Kantibhai Vankar sprinkles two litres of the milk of milk hedge (Euphorbia neriifolia) diluted in three litres of water per acre. The sprinkling successfully rids the cotton crop of green larvae.
While cotton growers claim to traditionally using this technique, there is apparently a clear gap in the tradition either because of their diversification into using chemical pesticides or because of diminishing faith in traditional practices. Whatever the reason for the gap, there is absolute necessity for refining the traditional practices rather than taking to chemical pesticides which tend to hit a dead-end at the first hint of a pest developing resistance. The fact of the matter is that the chemical pesticide comes with a premium to eventually kill an impoverished and helpless grower rather than the pest which is its only target. The efficacy of the organic practice over inorganic methods is borne out by this singular fact. Besides, organic methods aim at biodiversity, whereas inorganic methods tend to be destructive, one way or the other. |
Honey Bee Network Knowledge & Innovation Database (HBNKIND)
