environmentally friendly approach to pest management. These products are often biodegradable, target-specific, and pose minimal risk to non-target organisms and ecosystems. The increasing demand for sustainable agricultural practices and the rising concerns over the adverse effects of synthetic pesticides have led to a growing interest in biopesticides as viable alternatives. In this discourse, we delve into the various types, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of biopesticides.
One of the primary categories of biopesticides encompasses microbial pesticides, which comprise microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a bacterium notorious for its insecticidal properties, is a prominent example. Bt produces toxins that specifically target certain groups of insects, such as caterpillars and mosquitoes, making it an effective tool in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Similarly, fungal biopesticides like Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae exhibit pathogenicity towards various insect pests while being benign to humans and other vertebrates.
Plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs) constitute another significant category of biopesticides, wherein genetically modified (GM) crops are engineered to express pesticidal traits derived from naturally occurring sources. For instance, crops engineered with genes from Bt produce insecticidal proteins internally, providing built-in resistance against specific pests. This approach has gained widespread acceptance in agriculture, particularly in cultivating crops like cotton, corn, and soybeans, where insect infestations pose significant challenges.
Furthermore, biochemical pesticides encompass a diverse array of naturally occurring substances, including plant extracts, pheromones, and insect growth regulators (IGRs). Neem-based formulations, derived from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), have gained popularity due to their broad-spectrum activity against a wide range of pests while being relatively non-toxic to beneficial insects and mammals. Pheromones, chemical compounds emitted by insects to communicate with conspecifics, are exploited in mating disruption strategies to interfere with pest reproduction, thereby reducing population densities.
The adoption of biopesticides offers several advantages over conventional chemical pesticides, foremost among which is their reduced environmental impact. Unlike synthetic pesticides, which persist in the environment for extended periods, biopesticides typically degrade rapidly, minimizing residual contamination of soil, water, and air. Additionally, their specificity towards target pests minimizes the collateral damage inflicted upon beneficial organisms such as pollinators, natural predators, and soil microbes. Moreover, biopesticides are often exempt from stringent regulatory requirements compared to their chemical counterparts, expediting their development and commercialization.
Despite their
3. INTRODUCTION
Exploring the use of biopesticides in Anand,
Gujarat, our study focuses on three key
aspects: farmers' awareness, current
biopesticide usage, and their preferences in
decision-making. We aim to understand how
much farmers know about biopesticides, how
many are currently using them, and the
factors influencing their choices. This
research seeks to unveil insights that can
promote sustainable agricultural practices in
the region.
4. To study the awareness among farmers
to study current status of
biopecticide user
To study farmer's preference and
decision making steps towards
biopesticide
OBJECTI
VE
5. Calendar and Key Dates
Back to Agenda Page
SL. No. Authors Title Finding
1 Singh k et.al.,(2014) “Farmers
knowledge
and creativity
in eco-friendly
pest
management:
Lessons in
sustainable
agriculture’’
The explores indigenous pest
management practices among soybean
farmers in Chhindwara, India,
emphasizing their cost-effectiveness
and cultural alignment. Despite
institutional push for modern methods,
these eco-friendly approaches highlight
farmers' valuable ecological knowledge.
The review suggests integrating
indigenous practices with research for
practical and sustainable crop
protection.
6. Calendar and Key Dates
SL. No. Authors Title Finding
1 Nyangau
et.al.,(2020)
“Farmers’
knowledge and
management
practices
Of cereal,
legume and
vegetable insect
pests, and
willingness to
pay for
biopesticides ’’
’’
The study prevalence of fall
armyworm and other key pests,
emphasizing the necessity for
effective pest managemen
tstrategies. Additionally, the
observed willingness to pay
among vegetable farmers suggests
a potential market for
biopesticides, highlighting the
importance of promoting
sustainable
alternatives in agriculture.
7. Calendar and Key Dates
Back to Agenda Page
SL. No. Authors Title Finding
1 Yadav R et.al.,(2022) “Biopesticide:
Current status
and future
prospects’’
The importance of using
environmentally friendly methods to
control pests in Indian farming because
the world population is increasing. It
suggests using biopesticides instead of
harmful chemicals, but mentions
challenges like limited availability and
research. The conclusion stresses the
need to promote awareness and use
microbial biopesticides, which can help
overcome resistance issues and
contribute to a more sustainable future
for global agriculture.
8. Calendar and Key Dates
Back to Agenda Page
SL. No.
Authors Title Finding
1 Chandler D (2011) “The
development,
regulation and
use of
biopesticides
for integrated
pest
management’’
The reliance on synthetic chemical
pesticides in crop protection over the past
50 years, the declining availability of these
pesticides due to new legislation and
resistance evolution in pest populations,
and the potential of biopesticides for pest
management.
9. Calendar and Key Dates
Back to Agenda Page
SL. No.
Authors Title Finding
1 Warburton H
et.al.,(2015)
“Farmer
Perceptions,
Knowledge,
and Pesticide
Use
Practices’’
Pesticides used in rice production are
predominantly insecticides (55%), herbicides
(19%), and fungicides (15%). Most pesticides
are highly hazardous. Farmers prioritize
avoiding inhalation or ingestion based on strong
odors, but awareness of skin absorption risks is
low. Despite acknowledging the usefulness of
protective equipment, actual usage, especially
gloves, is limited. Factors like age, education,
and farm size significantly impact farmers'
willingness to purchase protective equipment,
indicating a need for targeted training on
safe pesticide use.
10. Calendar and Key Dates
Back to Agenda Page
SL. No.
Authors Title Finding
1 Guo et.al.,(2021) “The Deviation of
the Behaviors of
Rice Farmers
from Their
Stated
Willingness to
Apply
Biopesticides—A
Study Carried
Out in Jilin
Province of
China ’’
The article explores indigenous pest
management practices among soybean
farmers in Chhindwara, India,
emphasizing their cost-effectiveness
and cultural alignment. Despite
institutional push for modern methods,
these eco-friendly approaches highlight
farmers' valuable ecological knowledge.
The review suggests integrating
indigenous practices with research for
practical and sustainable crop
protection.
11. Research
methodology
Sampling unit Farmer
Sample size 100
Sampling technique Convenience sampling
Sample area Anand city
Research instrument Questionnaire
Tools for analysis Tabular analysis, graphical
analysis, ANOVA
