Chief of TNC IPB University: Mutual Cooperation and 4C Key to Farmers Against Rice Stem Borer Attacks
Chief of Farmers and Fishermen Center (TNC) IPB University, Prof Hermanu Triwidodo said that integrated pest control needs to take the 4P approach, namely deterrence, restraint, observation and suppression. In addition, he also said that mutual cooperation can be the key to success in dealing with rice stem borer attacks.
He stated this while giving directions in a webinar on Technical Guidance and Socialization: Rice Stem Borer Parasitoids, held recently. The event was held online by the Directorate General of Food Crops, Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) RI for all farmers in Indonesia.
“Overcoming rice stem borer attacks requires one important condition, namely mutual cooperation to collect clusters of rice stem borer eggs. Mutual cooperation can start from farmers, extension workers, officers controlling plant pests (POPT) all the way to the community,” he said.
Furthermore, Prof Hermanu also said that mutual cooperation activities could involve elementary, middle and high school students to participate. Not only that, this activity can also be used as a school activity that brings students closer to farmers.
“More importantly, this activity can invite elementary, middle and high school students to participate in preventing rice stem borer attacks. It can even become a school activity,” he continued.
Prof Hermanu emphasized that it is important to work together in suppressing rice stem borer attacks. This is beneficial for the upcoming planting season when El-Nino occurs. According to him, when El-Nino occurs, not only will the yellow rice stem borers appear, but also the white rice stem borers.
“Working together will help in dealing with El-Nino in the next planting season. During El-Nino, yellow and white rice stem borers will appear. The white rice stem borer can cause serious damage to rice plants,” he explained.
The white rice stem borer is considered a major pest in rice cultivation and can cause high levels of yield loss. This is caused by the rice stem borer which attacks all stages of rice plant growth. (Chelvi/Norma/Rz) (IAAS/SND)
