An awareness campaign on “Diagnosis and Management of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Plantation Crops” was successfully conducted at Jagneri tribal village, Kunjapanai hamlet, Kothagiri Taluk, Nilgiris District. The training, organized under the Tribal Sub-plan scheme funded by AICRP (N), ICAR, New Delhi, aimed to educate around 50 tribal farmers belonging to the Irular tribe group on nematode infestation and its impact on plantation crops like Tea, Coffee, and Pepper.
The campaign featured live specimens and management techniques to address yield losses caused by nematodes. Bagalan, Panchayat Head, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the crops grown in the village, while Shanthi, Professor and Head, Department of Nematology, TNAU, Coimbatore, detailed the activities of the Tribal Sub-plan and the role of ICAR in uplifting the livelihood of tribal farmers.
Swarnakumari, Associate Professor, explained the benefits and application methods of bioagents, while Prabhu, Associate Professor, provided detailed insights into nematode management methods. As part of the campaign, a power sprayer was handed over to the Panchayat Head for common usage, and farmers were distributed farm tools, spades, and bioagents including Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma asperellum.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Burman, a progressive tribal farmer who played a crucial role in mobilizing participants and ensuring the campaign’s success. Financial support from the Project Coordinator, AICRP (N), ICAR, New Delhi, and administrative support from Shanthi, Director, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, TNAU, and Shanthi, Professor and Head, Department of Nematology, Coimbatore, were acknowledged.
