A team from the Battambang provincial agriculture department inspects pesticide spraying by farmers, urging them to reduce the use of chemicals. Battambang provincial agriculture department
Farmers in Battambang province are being urged to reduce their use of chemical pesticides to combat insect infestations as the rice harvest approaches, due to concerns over the impact on quality, public health and export potential to international markets.
The instructions came after an inspection by deputy director of the Battambang provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries In Sovan Mony and his team, who assessed the damage to rice crops caused by brown planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens) in Bavel commune, Bavel district.
On August 15, Sovan Mony estimated that more than 100 hectares of rice in Bavel district had been affected by the pests over the past 20 days.
He explained that the rice is currently in the seeding stage and will be ready for harvest in less than half a month.
He noted that farmers have been applying chemical pesticides every two to three days in an attempt to get rid of the insects, but the approach has proven ineffective.
"This continued use of chemicals not only fails to control the pests but also compromises the quality of the rice and poses health risks to consumers due to chemical residues,” Sovan Mony said.
He noted that brown planthoppers hide beneath the plants, making it difficult for chemical sprays to reach them effectively at this stage.
"While the [insects] do feed on the rice plants, they do not significantly impact the quality and yield of the rice. Frequent spraying is ineffective, costly for farmers and harms their finances, with the sprayers themselves being the first to suffer," he added.
A team member from the Battambang provincial agriculture department assesses damage to rice crops caused by brown planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens) in Bavel commune, Bavel district. Battambang provincial agriculture department
He also highlighted that the large-scale use of chemical pesticides is harmful to the environment and leads to the death of other beneficial species.
Sovan Mony explained that as the rice nears harvest, brown planthoppers feed on the plants, which drains some nutrients needed for the development of the grain. He said this could potentially reduce rice yields by only about 10 per cent.
The agricultural team also advised farmers to cut back on the use of fertilisers and to avoid using seeds from the current harvest for future planting, as they may be contaminated.
Additionally, farmers were instructed to plough, harrow and submerge the fields immediately after harvest to eliminate insect eggs and to regularly monitor their fields to prevent infestations in new crops, according to the provincial agriculture department.
Sovan Mony also directed the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office of the 14 town and district administrations to quickly issue and disseminate guidelines to farmers on insect control, particularly for brown planthoppers.
He noted that there have been no reports of rice damage by the pests in other areas.
Apart from brown planthoppers, rice crops in several provinces have also been affected by fall armyworms (Spodoptera frugiperda), rice leaf folders (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) and rice whiteflies (Aleurocybotus indicus) during this rainy season.
