This programme has been necessitated by the danger posed by the increased levels of resistance displayed by major pests to insecticides because of their excessive and indiscriminate use. In the first phase of the programme, 500 villages in 25 districts that grow about 52 per cent of the total cotton area in the country, are to be covered in the next one- and- half years.

In view of the gravity of the problem, the government appears to have decided to tackle it jointly with the private sector i.e. trade and industry. The IRM programme, among others, will also involve the pesticide manufacturers who appear to have already expressedtheir full support to it.

Under the programme, a common module, evolved by the Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) will be adopted and implemented by all the participants. Unlike a general IPM module that includes only bio-control, the IRM module will also include insecticide control and cultural practices, according to reports. The proposed strategy will be based on the results of a network project on IRM of cotton bollworm carried out at six different research institutions in the country.

The government has reportedly constituted a high level committee, headed by the agricultural commissioner, to coordinate the entire programme. The implementation part will be carried out by the regional working groups that include representatives of the union and state agricultural departments, state agricultural universities, CICR, trade and industry.

At the village level, local bodies and NGOs are to be involved for effective implementation of the programme. Reports further state that an action plan hasbeen drawn up with focus on surveillance and monitoring as also training at the field level.

(Excerpted from East India Cotton Association weekly bulletin)