Dimapur, September 18 (MExN): A lecture on the topic “Insecticides and Pesticides – Boon to Bane” was held at School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus on September 17. The programme was organised by National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi and Nagaland Science and Technology Council, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Nagaland.
The lecture was delivered by INSA Emeritus Scientist, Prof. ES Raja Gopal, Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He stressed on the use of everything that nature has given in ‘moderation’. DDT once hailed as the ‘miracle spray’ for controlling mosquitoes and other insects during World War II has now been banned since the 1970s in most countries due to its carcinogenic effect on humans, he said.
Prof. ES Raja further maintained that organic production of food crops is the best and most safe; however, the question is whether this will be sufficiently produced to feed the world population. Control of pest and diseases in crops using biological enemies may help up to some extent, but he cited examples of failures in the past.
The lecture also pointed out that the success of using GM crops like BT cotton was short lived as the cotton bollworm started developing resistance to the insecticide. “There is hope that in future some solutions would be found for sustainable production of crops with advancement of science.” He encouraged the students to earnestly do research to find solutions for the many problems faced by farmers in the country. “However, man has to realize that we need to live in harmony ‘symbiotically’ with all living things in nature in order to bring about sustainability and maintain ecological balance in the world,” he added.
The programme was chaired by Prof. RC Gupta, Dean SASRD, who welcomed the initiative taken by Nagaland Science and Technology Council in conducting such inspiring programme for agricultural professional students.
