IPB University Farmers and Fishermen Center Invites Farmers to Use Local Seeds to Prevent Wereng Attacks in Satar Mese

Farmers and Fishermen Center (TNC) IPB University invites farmers to take proactive steps in preventing planthopper attacks that damage rice yields in Satar Mese District, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Needed to know, planthopper attacks have become a serious threat to farmers in Satar Mese in early 2023. On this occasion, TNC IPB University collaborated with the People's Coalition for Food Sovereignty (KRKP), Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA), IPB University Plant Clinic and the Good Food Coalition.

In this activity, TNC IPB University sent an integrated pest control expert who is also a lecturer from the Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture IPB University, Bonjok Istiaji, SP, MSi to discuss with local farmers regarding planthopper pest attacks in Satar Mese.

"One leafhopper can produce 300 eggs, so the potential to spread throughout the land is enormous," said Bonjok while attending a discussion on Preventing Wereng Attacks through Google Meet, some time ago.

Furthermore, Bonjok also advised local farmers not to spray pesticides during planthopper attacks. According to him, this also has an impact on the natural predators of planthoppers in the rice fields.

“Don't spray if there are leafhoppers, because it's not only the leafhoppers that die, but also the predators. If the leafhoppers are immune and the enemies are gone, then they will control the land even more,” he explained.

The IPB University integrated pest control expert also provided practical solutions to farmers in Satar Mese against planthopper pest attacks. According to him, the use of local seed varieties can be a solution in preventing planthopper attacks in Satar Mese.

"There are three most important ways to prevent it, namely avoiding pesticides as much as possible, improving the condition of the rice fields by turning straw and using local seeds that are resistant to planthopper attacks," said Bonjok. (Norma/Rz) (IAAS/Res)