Workshop on “Design and development of acoustic methods for early detection of pest infestation”

 

    Workshop on “Design and development of acoustic methods for early detection of pest infestation” and exposer visit for the students of electrical engineering department, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Goa was organized at ICAR – CCARI, Goa during 28/04/2022 under SERB-CRG Funded project. Around 30 students actively participated in the workshop. Dr. Maruthadurai, R., Senior Scientist (Entomology), ICAR, CCARI, Goa, welcomed the guests and briefed about the workshop. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR – CCARI, Goa, in his inaugural remarks briefed to students about ICAR – CCARI, its mission, mandates and achievements. He explained about the importance and contribution of agricultural sector for the country since Independence. Stressed about the challenges faced by the farming community with special reference to Cashew plant and urged the students to work on the technological solutions like use of acoustic methods for early detection of stem and root borer in cashew. Dr. T. Veerakumar, Associate Professor, NIT, Goa, proposed vote of thanks.

    Dr.Maruthadurai, R., Principle investigator of the project and Co-ordinator of the training programme made an elaborative presentation on “Design and development of acoustic methods for early detection of cashew stem and root borer (CSRB) infestation in cashew”. He explained about the life cycle, mode of damage and damage symptoms of CSRB with pictorial presentation. He further elaborated about the acoustic methods, devices and their working principle for early detection of CSRB. He also mentioned some of flaws/drawbacks of acoustic device like need to make bore hole on the stem for inserting the acoustic device, which intern damages the plant, high cost of device and about the efficiency of the device. He urged the students to think and work on acoustic device for early detection of pest infestation to overcome all those flaws and to help the farming community. He also demonstrated and shown the acoustic device for early pest detection in crop science laboratory. After lunch break, an exposer visit to cashew field, agro-ecotourism unit, rabbit farming unit, poultry unit, piggery unit and livestock unit was organised.