The document summarizes the commercial production process of Trichogramma spp., a biocontrol agent used to control pest populations. It discusses the mass production technique which involves rearing Corcyra cephalonica moths on maize grains to produce eggs, which are then used to rear Trichogramma spp. The parasitized eggs are placed on cards ("Trichocards") and delivered to agricultural fields, where they are stapled to plant leaves to control pests. The document also provides details on the market potential, basic requirements, financial and project details to establish a commercial production unit of 30,000 Trichocards per year.

1. COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION OF
BIO CONTROL AGENT
(Trichogramma spp.)

2. INTRODUCTION
 Pest problem is one of the major constraints for achieving
higher production in agriculture crops. India loses about
30% of its crops due to pests and diseases each year. The
damage due to these is estimated to be Rs.60,000 crores
annually. The use of pesticides in crop protection has
certainly contributed for minimising yield losses. The
pesticides are needed to be applied carefully only when the
threshold limits of the pest population is exceeded.
However, quite often the indiscriminate and unscientific
use of pesticides has led to many problems, such as pests
developing resistance, resurgence of once minor pest into a
major problem besides environmental and food safety
hazards.

3. WHAT IS BIOCONTROL?
 The action of parasites, predators or
pathogens in maintaining another organism’s
population at a lower average than would
occur in their absence.
 Examples- Rodolia cardinalis is used for
control of cottony cushion scale.
 Trichogramma chilonis against pests of
cotton, sugarcane and rice.

4. ADVANTAGES OF BIOCONTROL
 Target specific and safe to beneficial organisms
like pollinators, predetors, parasites etc.;
 Environmental friendly and reduce need for
pesticide application;
 Cost effective;
 Important component of IPM as 1st line and 2nd
line of defence, chemicals being the last resort.

5. WHAT IS Trichogramma spp ?
 Trichogramma are primary parasitoids of eggs of
Lepidoptera, but also parasitize Coleoptera, Diptera,
Hemiptera, Hymenoptera and Neuroptera.
 Since this parasitoid kills the pest in the egg stage
itself before the pest could cause any damage to the
crop and also that it is quite amenable to mass
production in the laboratories, it has the distinction
of being the highest produced and most utilized
biological control agent in the
world. Trichogrammatidae includes the smallest of
insects, ranging in size from 0.2 to 1.5 mm.

6. MASS PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE OF
Trichogramma spp.

7. Glass jar
Muslin ClothCorcyra Rearing box
Metal Rack
Instruments:

8. Preparation of maize feed material
Grains should be milled coarsely to make 3-4
pieces of each grain
Heat/sterilized in an oven at 100˚C for 30
minutes
Spray 0.1 % Formalin solution mix well and
uniformly
Dry the grain with fan air
Steps :-

9. Pour 2.5 kg coarse grains in each wooden
box
Obtain pure culture of Corcyra cephalonica
Mix 1cc (18,000-20,000) eggs in each box
Cover box for 30 days approx.

10. Collect adults after 20-40 days
Transfer to oviposition cages
Cleaning, sieving after Collection of eggs
Exposure of eggs to UV radiation for 45 minutes

11. Spreading of eggs on gummed cards
Introduction of Trichogramma spp. (ratio 1:8)
Transportation and field release of Trichocards

12. DELIVERY
Tricho cards are delivered for use in the field. The
cards in volumes of 6 cc as in aerated polythene bags
and packed in paper cartons for transport. The cards
have to be transported by the most rapid method of
transport to reach the destination. During transport
and holding the cartons should not be exposed to
extreme conditions like toxic fumes, open sunlight,
high temperature areas as the consignment could be
damaged leading to mortality of the Trichogramma
stages.

13. FIELD RELEASE
Crop Stage Pest
Trichogramma
Species
Dosage
/ha
No of Releases
Sugarcane
45-90 days after
transplanting
Early shoot bores
& Stalk borer
T.chilonis 5000
4-6 at 10 days
interval
60 days onwards Top shoot borer T.japonicum 5000
4-6 at 10 days
interval
Cotton 45th Day onwards Boll worms T.chilonis 150000 6 at weekly interval
Maize 45th Day onwards Stem Borer T.chilonis 75000 6 at 10 days interval
Tomato
45th Days after
transplanting
Fruit borer T.brasiliensis 50000 6 at weekly interval
Paddy
30 days after
transplanting
Stem Borer T.japonicum 50000 6 at weekly interval
Castor
30 days after
sowing
Semi-looper T.chilonis 50000 3 at weekly interval

14. Ground maize grains Card in the Glass jar
Stapling of Trichocard in the field
Parasitized eggs of Corcyra
on card

15. Fig:- Tricho card

16. ֍ WHAT IS A TRICHOCARD ?
 The parasitisation of Trichogramma spp., in laboratory
condition on 1cc eggs of Corcyra cephalonica, which are
uniformly spread and pasted on a card measuring 15 cm x 10
cm is called as Tricho card.
 About 12,000 Trichogramma adults emerge out from this card
in 7-8 days after parasitisation.
 To delay the emergence of Trichogramma, these cards can be
stored in refrigerator at 5-100C for 10-15 days. On removing
the cards to room temperature, the parasitoids emerge normally.
 Trichocards have a shelf life of 2-3 days. However, these can be
stored in a refrigerator for a period of 1 month without any
spoilage.

17. THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS ARE TO BE TAKEN WHILEUSING
TRICHOCARDS:
Trichocards should be packed in such a way that the
parasitised surface is on the inner side.
Emergence date should be specified on cards for the
guidance of the users.
Trichocards should be stapled on the under-side of the leaf.
Card should be stapled in morning hours and just before
emergence to avoid predation.
Farmers should refrain from using pesticides in the field
where Trichogramma are released
. If need arises selective / safer pesticides can be used
before or after 10-15 days of emergence.

18. PROJECT DETAILS

19. MARKET POTENTIAL
 The National Integrated Pest Management
Workshop, 1992 estimated the gross demand for
Trichogramma as 690 million cards.
 The cost of one tricho card is around 100 rupees.

20. BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ESTABLISHMENT
OF Trichogramma spp PRODUCTION UNIT
 Land
 Building and civil works
 Plant and machinery
 Raw material
 Water
 Power
 Man power
Unit size
 30, 000 tricho cards/ year.

21. MAN POWER REQUIREMENT
S. no. Manpower
requirement
number Rs/month &
Rs/day
Rs/year
1 Production
supervisor
1 7000 84000
2 Technical staff 1 4500 54000
3 Skilled labour 2 225 148500
4 Semi skilled
labour
3 175 173250
5 Sales officer 1 8000 96000
6 Accountant and
clerical
assistant
1 8000 96000
7 Drivers 1 4500 54000
Total 10 705750

22. FINANCIAL PROGRAMME OF THE
MODEL
 The summary of financial programme is given
below:
S.No Particulars Amount (Rs)
1 Total project cost 20, 23, 100
2 Margin @ 25% 5, 05,775
3 Bank loan 15, 17, 000

23. FINANCIALANALYSIS
 The cash flow statement covering the Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR),
Net Present Worth (NPW) and Internal/financial rate of return
(IRR/FRR) have been worked out for the project. Normally the
BCR should be greater than 1, NPW should be positive and IRR
should be greater than 15%.
Financial parameters Estimated value
NPW (Rs. lakhs) 4.90
BCR 1.63
Average DSCR 5.14
Repayment Period 10 years inclusive of 1 year
grace period

24. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
 The projects on manufacturing biopesticide products
would be considered for refinance support by National
Bank. Therefore, all participating banks may consider
financing this activity subject to their technical
feasibility, financial viability and bankability.

25. LENDING TERMS AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS
 Margin Money
The promoters/company should normally meet 25% of the project cost
out of their own resources.
 Interest Rate
Interest rate will be determined by RBI/NABARD from time to time.
However, at present banks may decide interest rate.
 Security
As stipulated by the RBI.
 Repayment Period
Depends upon the gross surplus generated. In the model, we considered
10 years as repayment period with one year grace.
 Refinance Assistance
As per the existing policy, NABARD provides refinance assistance @
90% of bank loan. However, it may vary from time to time.

26. PROJECT OUTLAY

27. CAPITAL COST OF PROJECT
S . No. Item Quantity Rate Amount
Rs
1 Civil works 800 sq.ft 600/sq.ft 480000
2 Fencing and gates LUMPSUM 120000
3 Rearing box 250 600 150000
4 Metal racks 10 10000 100000
5 UV lamp 1 1500 1500
6 Binocular 1 3500 3500
7 Refrigerator 1 11000 11000
8 Working table 2 8000 16000
9 Room heater 4 5000 20000
10 Ac 1 25000 25000
11 Storage cabinet 1 1000 1000
12 Cupboard 1 7500 7500

28. S . No. Item Quantity Rate Amount
Rs
13 Measuring cylinder
100ml
2 180 360
14 Measuring cylinder
250ml
2 350 700
15 Oven 1 30000 30000
16 Glass jar 10 120 1200
17 Specimen tube 10 90 900
18 Plastic tray 3 140 420
19 Enamel tray 5 240 1200
20 Mosquito net 1 250 250
21 Misc. - - 270
Total 382800

29. FIXED COST
S . No. Item Amount
Rs
1 Tax and insurance 30000
2 Administrative expenses 100000
3 Salary 705750
4 Depriciation 30000
5 Interest on term loan 180000
Total 1045750

30. VARIABLE COST
S . No. Item Amount
Rs
1 Power 24000
2 Streptomycin sulphate 20000
3 Sulphur 800
4 Formalin 470
5 Broken maize grain 24000
6 Absorbant cotton 280
7 Water charges 6000
8 Selling and marketing expenses 150000
9 Packing expenses 70000
10 Wages 24000
11 Interest on working capital 10500
12 Misc. 5000
Total 359050

31. CALCULATION OF NPW AND BCR

32. PARTIC
ULARS
YEAR
1
YEAR
2
YEAR
3
YEAR
4
YEAR
5
YEAR
6
YEAR
7
YEAR
8
YEAR
9
YEAR
10
TOTAL
Total
cost(Rs.
)
2023100 124280
0
132280
0
1388800 142480
0
1424800 142480
0
1424800 1424800 142480
0
1452630
0
Total
benefit
(Rs.lakh
s)
15 18 24 27 30 30 30 30 30 30 264
Net
benefit
(Rs)
-523100 557200 107720
0
1311200 157520
0
1575200 157520
0
1575200 1575200 157520
0
11874700
Discoun
ting
factor @
15%
0.87 0.76 0.66 0.57 0.5 0.43 0.38 0.33 0.28 0.25
NPW
(Rs)
-455097 488528 710952 747384 787600 677336 598576 519816 441056 393800
PWC -1760097 944528 873048 791616 712400 612664 541424 470184 398944 356200 3940891
PWB 1305000 136800
0
158400
0
1539000 150000
0
1290000 114000
0
990000 840000 750000 6447000
BCR 1.63

33. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

34. Particular
s
Year
1
Year
2
Year
3
Year
4
Year
5
Year
6
Year
7
Year
8
Year
9
Year
10
Total
income
(Rs.
lakhs)
15 18 24 27 30 30 30 30 30 30
Expenditure
Power 24000
24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000
Wages 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000 24000
Water 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000
Raw
materials
74550 74550 74550 74550 74550 74550 74550 74550 74550 74550
Packing 70000 82000 90000 120000 120000 120000 120000 120000 120000 120000
Salary 705750 705750 705750 705750 705750 705750 705750 705750 705750 705750
Tax &
insuranc
e
30000 36000 48000 54000 60000 60000 60000 60000 60000 60000
Administr 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000

35. Selling &
marketing
expenses
150000 180000 240000 270000 300000 300000 300000 300000 300000 300000
Interest on
working
capital
10500 10500 10500 10500 10500 10500 10500 10500 10500 10500
Total
expenditure
1194800 124280
0
132280
0
138880
0
142480
0
142480
0
142480
0
142480
0
142480
0
142480
0
Gross
surplus
305200 557200 107720
0
131120
0
157520
0
157520
0
157520
0
157520
0
157520
0
157520
0
Depreciatio
n
30000 28500 27075 25721 24435 23214 22052 20950 11902 18907
Interest on
loan(Rs.lakh
s)
1.8 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2
Profit after
depreciation
and interest
169750 423250 964675 122002
9
150531
5
152653
6
154769
8
156880
0
159784
8
161084
3
Debt(Rs.lak
hs)
1.8 3.48 3.28 3.08 2.88 2.68 2.48 2.28 2.08 1.88
DSCR 1.69 1.6 3.38 4.25 5.46 5.87 6.35 6.9 7.57 8.37
Avg. DSCR 5.14

36. CALCULATION OF BREAKEVEN POINT

37. PARTICUL
ARS
YEAR
1
YEAR
2
YEAR
3
YEAR
4
YEAR
5
YEAR
6
YEAR
7
YEAR
8
YEAR
9
YEAR
10
Fixed cost 104575
0
105025
0
104082
5
102547
1
101018
5
988964 967802 946700 917652 904657
Variable
cost
359050 390550 458550 518550 548550 548550 548550 548550 548550 548550
Sales
revenue
150000
0
180000
0
240000
0
270000
0
300000
0
300000
0
300000
0
300000
0
300000
0
300000
0
Revenue/c
ard
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Variable
cost/card
23.93 21.69 19.1 19.2 18.28 18.28 18.28 18.28 18.28 18.28
BE point 10433.
57
13411.
44
12865.
57
12691.
47
12361.
53
12090.
02
11831.
31
11573.
34
11218.
23
11059.
37

38. CONCLUSION
 The potential of biocontrol has largely remained untapped because it has
been under-used, under-exploited and often untried and, therefore,
unproven. Infact the use of parasitoids and predators should be a
primary consideration in any pest management programme.
 Biological control is highly economical. It rarely costs more than a few
lakh rupees as against billions of rupees required to develop an
insecticide.
 Though the scope for commercial production of Trichogramma spp. as
biocontrol agent is promising still it can be fully realized only with
government support. The government should provide subsidies for the
establishment of biocontrol unit and also create awareness among the
farming community about the effectiveness and need to use bio control
agents as first resort of pest management.

39. THANK YOU