Tackling rural poverty, together

Extract

Cotton monocultures with high use of pesticides led to health problems, decreasing biodiversity and the development of pesticide-resistant insects. Aiming at replacing expensive external inputs with cheap and locally available biological agents, diversified field management and physical plant protection, non-pesticide-management techniques were introduced by the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture in Punukula and neighbouring Pullaigudem villages. In 2004, the area under non-pesticide cotton in the villages went up to 480 ha with average yields of 3 t/ha. Initial estimates indicate that in the first year alone, farmers have already saved Rs 60 million on pesticides – equivalent to the amount spent on the project. Farmers have come to understand clearly the role of beneficial insects, and to manage pests without resorting to chemical pesticides.