Bangladesh: farmers profit from bio-pesticide

The government-run research organization, Rural Development Academy (RDA) in Bogra, has introduced an environment-friendly pesticide to reduce the use of toxic chemical pesticides in agriculture.

The bio pesticide enhanced by trichoderma, a genus of fungi present in all soils, also helps increase soil fertility.

AKM Zakaria, director of agriculture for RDA Bogra, said the bio-pesticide potent is an agent used extensively for soil-borne diseases. It has been used successfully against pathogenic fungi belonging to various genera, he added.

Application of the pesticide increases the number of deep roots, increasing the plant's ability to resist draught, he added.

"The farmers can use the bio pesticide on paddy, wheat and vegetables to protect the major crops against soil-borne diseases,” said Zakaria. The product is also effective in managing municipal solid and household waste, he added.

RDA introduced four forms of trichoderma products which are all user-friendly, according to Zakaria.

Cucumber farmer Md Rustom Ali, 45, of Garidaha village in Sherpur upazila in Bogra, harvested around 680 kilograms of cucumber on 10 decimals of land using only 2 kilograms of trichoderma bio-pesticide last year. Even two years back, he got 400 kilograms of cucumber by using various toxic chemicals and fertilisers worth Tk 600.

"I brought 10 kilograms of bio-pesticide worth Tk 540 for the first time in 2010 to apply on my cultivable land,” said Ali, a pesticide trader.

"I started selling the bio-pesticide two years back, considering the local farmers' interests as well as the environment. Now I am earning handsome amounts selling the trichoderma bio pesticide in my area,” said Ali. He sold at least 500 kilograms of bio pesticide to farmers in the area in the last one year.

Another farmer, Md Mostak Ahmed, 25, said he made Tk 5,000 by cultivating ash-gourd on 10 decimals of land using the bio pesticide. He spent Tk 120 on the pesticide.

Last year, he spent Tk 600 to cultivate the same vegetable on the same piece of land. “Previously, I made only Tk 3,000 by selling my produce in the local market by using toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers,” said Ahmed.

Md Badsha Mia, 50, a banana producer of Kalshimati village in the same upazila expects to sell his produce for double the amount this year compared to last year.

"I sold my produce for Tk 18,000 last year. But I expect more than Tk 36,000 this time for the same quantity.”

He cultivated bananas on 20 decimals of land using trichoderma bio-pesticide spending Tk 4,000 this time with advice from Ali. Last year, he used chemical fertilisers and toxic pesticides on his banana field.

Most farmers in the region use liquid and powder forms of the trichoderma bio-pesticide to cultivate paddy, potatoes, brinjals, chillies and other crops, said Ali.