Organic farming is known to be the safest way of farming, which protects flora and fauna of the earth. One of the many techniques used to promote organic farming without the use of chemicals is Organic Pest Management. Pheromone trap is an organic pest management technique that can contribute to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies by modifying insect behavior, and mainly by capturing the pest in its adult stage. There are many ways by which pheromones have been successfully deployed. Such practices and management techniques are widely promoted through Caritas India’s U3 programme, which emphasizes on fostering and securing self-sustaining climate resilient cum adaptive agriculture and livelihoods through community-owned processes.

Mr. Bukua Lalu, 58 years old from Line Thanda Gudur mandal, located in district Mahabubabad, Telangana is one of the many farmers who employed such initiative in the project location. The family has been depending on Cotton cultivation and chilli farming on their 3-acre land. Agriculture is their main source of livelihood. Caritas India in partnership with LODI Multipurpose Social Service Society has organised a capacity-building workshop for marginalised farmers to enhance their skill and knowledge on concerns such as pest management and control, the importance of organic farming, and awareness of government schemes.

Applying the knowledge gained from the capacity-building training, Mr. Lalu and his wife initiated the pest control technique through “10 Pheromone traps” on their own agricultural land. With this, he is confident to get a good yield.  The family has witnessed good yield income in the Cotton and Chili cultivation within the range of 85,000 INR as compared to their earlier annual income i.e. Rs. 65000/-

They are also following multi-crop capacity-building and red grain. Lalu says he will continue to practice organic farming methods, which has reduced his investment and increased his yield. He is also planning to focus on promoting innovative agricultural methods in the coming days. (Simple method of pest traps: Sticky traps as clear by their name, are colour traps on which a sticky substance is spread over. These traps are used to catch the insects that are attracted to a particular colour. For example, in the case of cucumber beetles, a white colour mobile trap can be used. Take a large object and paint it white and move it in crop rows. After a while cucumber beetles will be attracted towards it. Similarly, for whiteflies, fruit flies, and all the common insects, the yellow trap can be used making sure to place the yellow trap at 3-5 feet. These traps are very useful to control pest problems and management in all crops, like, paddy, chilli, cotton, red gram, green gram and turmeric etc.).