Year 2000. Renuka Madival, an unknown housewife, was least bothered about her field or crops. She was anxious about her husband's health. Shankrappa Madival would fall sick at least one day a week with ailments like headache, stomach pain and fever. The family couldn't trace the reason.

Like many other women in her village in Garag, she was married at an early age and delivered her first child at 15. Her husband looked after the fields. Six acres of cotton growing area was given special attention. At least 20-25 sprays were given for a single crop stretching over a period of six months. Pesticides and fertilisers would cost him a minimum of Rs 30,000. Every year, the cost of cultivation increased, while the yield didn't climb the graph. She got the answer when she was forced to join the integrated pest management training started in 2002.

It was one of the turning points in her life. Initially, she hesitated to join the training programme. After two days of persuasion, she reluctantly participated in the programme. As she listened to the deliberations in the meeting, her mind would revolve round her two-month-old child at home. When the Agriculture Officer drew the picture of an insect and started explaining its life-cycle, she started concentrating. Eventually, when the team set off for eco-system analysis at the farm, she stood in the front.

When her husband experimented with different chemical solutions to control pest resurgence, Renuka learnt how to prevent them and control naturally. A woman who was concerned about her husband's health found the solution when the ill-effects of using pesticides were discussed in the meeting. For her surprise, she learnt among the 150 varieties of insects which cotton harbours, only 15 are pests. Cotton, which occupied five per cent of the total cropped area, received 50 per cent of the total amount of pesticides used for crop protection. Use of chemicals destroyed both useful and harmful pests.

Towards management

The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system introduced in Karnataka by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with the European Union and the Agriculture Department, has changed the destiny of cotton growers in Karnataka. The project trained officers as facilitators during its period from 2000-2003. Then the Agriculture Department took over and is effectively spreading the concept.

R B Hiremath, one of the first facilitators, feels that the concept changed the colour of cotton fields. During training, trainees visited villages and started experimenting in the fields. Initially, farmers were unconvinced as the same department which taught them chemical farming was now advocating environment-friendly farming. To gain their confidence, the department involved farmers at the implementation stage.

During the training, a two-acre plot which is easily accessible, is selected and this two-acre (80 gunte) experimental plot is divided into three parts. One is used for IPM, another for long-term experiments like water harvesting structures and mulching and the last part for farmers' practices.

As Renuka started identifying insects and pests in the experimental field, she wanted to follow integrated pest management in her field. Initially, Shankrappa Madival was not willing to accept this change. But Renuka insisted and started in a small portion of her land. Agriculture didn't remain alien to her anymore. Shankrappa, who was observing her, changed his mind. Now, after seven years, his health has improved. Cotton is also safe and healthy. The net profit per acre has increased by Rs 2000. Renuka, who never spoke face to face with a stranger, now trains hundreds of farmers every year to adopt sustainable agriculture practices.

A group of farmers, generally those who use heavy dosages like Shankrappa Madival, are called for the meeting once a week through the cotton growing season. The programme advocates that chemical pesticides are not the only solutions. Bio-pesticides, natural practices, mixed cropping, growing trap crops and managing pests with careful observation can control pests effectively. Crops like maize, cowpea, red gram and ladies finger act as trap crops and also serve the kitchen purpose. Biological practices for the conservation and augmentation of natural enemies were also given importance. By participatory discussions, many methods of controlling harmful pests were found, which were later successfully followed.

The entire training, spanning for over six months, is made informative, educative, inquisitive and participatory. The training focuses on need based management practices. Since the cost of production reduces considerably without affecting the yield, farmers naturally get convinced about the new practice. This time, the Agriculture Department has thought a step ahead. Farmers were educated about the ecology around cotton crop and then encouraged to synchronise the cultivation method with nature.

Farmers practice seed germination test. They are given a kit which has instruments from microscope to a container to observe and manage pests. They are also encouraged to create an insect zoo. During the period, farmers observe and prepare a chart based on cotton eco-system analysis.

As the name suggests, Integrated Pest Management incorporates all the possible nature-friendly ways of managing the pest problem for the crop like plant-based pesticides, growing trap crops, multiplying the number of friendly insects and trapping them physically. Area-specific management practices made the cotton field healthy and cost-effective. Positive results helped replication of the practice in the fields effectively.

Farmer facilitators

Once the experiment was found effective on cotton, people started trying the method on different crops. Basics of studying the crop and its natural balance remain the same for all the crops. According to Agricultural Assistant K S Patil, IPM has been practiced successfully for crops like bengal gram in Navalgund. In Bagalkot, it has been adopted for sugarcane. In Mandya, it is practiced for paddy and in Gulbarga for red gram. Tumkur and Shimoga districts are practicing IPM for groundnut.

After the first phase of training, the department took the help of inspired farmers who were well-versed in demonstrating this eco-friendly method. Mahadevi Moraba and Ratna Tadakod are among the first batch of farmer facilitators who joined hands with the department to spread the message in other villages also. Since the farmers could identify themselves with farmer facilitators, it was easy to educate them about the changed practices. Even the facilitators had a sense of pride for being catalysts in enhancing the lives of people.

Participatory approach and decision taking process helped develop a feeling of ownership among the farmers. For a month during the six month period, they will  usually be passive listeners. But once the effects are evident, farmers follow the method voluntarily. N G Naikar, a farmer facilitator, says that participating in this programme develops confidence among farmers.

IPM facilitators of the department remember the support and encouragement imparted by Dr Rajanna, director, Department of Agriculture, who was instrumental in incorporating the IPM system in the department. With his guidance, the IPM was taken a step ahead, incorporating sustainable farming practices. Now, after success in the first phase, the concept of Farmer Field School has been introduced, which advocates integrated approach towards farming.

Side effects

R B Hiremath says that the process not only enhanced farmers' knowledge about their crop but also had an indirect impact on them. The objective of the programme to empower farmers to solve local living problems by fostering participation has been achieved in the State. Now women in Garag group together and work towards the construction of toilets. About 300 toilets were constructed in the village in 2004. A pesticide dealer in Pudakalakatti in Dharwad realised the genuine concern behind this effort and volunteered to lead the movement in the village. Now the pesticide shop has been converted into a training room.

A forum formed by farmer facilitators, called Integrated Pest Management Agriculture and Rural Development (IPMARDS), has grown into an organisation, encouraging farmers to be self-reliant from seed to market. With dedicated officers, knowledgeable farmers and proper guidance, the integrated pest management practice in Karnataka has set an example for others.