Capacity Building of NRSP by developing Traininng Modules of Integrated Pest Management of Apple Wooly Aphid in Murree Hills Pakistan (PAK/01/35)

Project Details & Results

The apple Woolly aphid was controlled through classical biological control based IPM in 1986 by introduction of a natural enemy Aphilinus mali from Switzerland into Murree Hills.

Because of extensive spraying against codling moth Cydia pomonella during 1978-80 in Murree hills and during 1988-90 against San Jose scale Quadraspidiotus perniciosus in Swat valley woolly aphid Eriosoma lanigerum became a serious pest on apple. In 1986 a parasitoid Aphelinus mali was imported from Switzerland and about 10,000 adults were released in two heavily infested orchards in Murree. Two weeks later it was recorded parasitising up to 8% aphids in the orchards where releases were made. By the end of October its parasitism rose up to 78% and completely controlled the aphid. It was also found parasitising aphids about ½ km away. Mortality in overwintering aphids occurred till February and was 78% on branches and 61% on stones and barks. It remained under good control where farmers did not use insecticides. However, its infestation has again increased where insecticide sprays have started because of the active marketing strategies of multinational pesticide companies.

NRSP is working with communities throughout Pakistan. It needs skills and experience for promotion of sustainable agriculture with particular reference to IPM. In Pakistan IPM could be implemented at a very small scale. It is need of the hour that it may be implemented at wider scale. This is only possible when training modules, information packages and quality extension messages are produced. This can be done very effectively through NRSP by developing their capacity in the field of IPM implementation.

The primary objective of the project is preparation of training modules and information package for staff of NRSP to enhance their skills and capacity. They will ultimately be able to utilize this resource for replication of similar activities in different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan.

Notable Community Participation
National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) is already working with communities in Murree Hills. These community organizations will be directly involved in selection of orchards, planning of the activities and implementation of the program.

Capacity - Building Component
NRSP has a well established network of community organizations working in integrated development. However, they need training and skills in the specific fields such as IPM for promotion of sustainable agriculture with focus on IPM and income generation of the rural communities. The current project will enhance their capacity in the field of agriculture with particular reference to IPM.

Gender Focus
The women folk in Murree Hills take active part in harvesting of the crop and post production process. They need to be trained in safe handling of pesticide. They lack proper training in safe handling of pesticides. The women organizations through NRSP will be involved in the training and awareness campaign.

Project Results
18 Master Trainers from the NRSP Community Organizations were trained in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biological control and their skills in crop protection were enhanced.

A total of 10 IPM brochures in the form of mini training modules for education and training of NRSP staff and the Master Trainers were published and distributed among the members of community organizations of NRSP, ECI and small scale CBOs and NGOs being supported by UNDP/GEF – Small Scale Program in Pakistan as well as outside the country.

The information material and pictures of activities related to IPM, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and organic farming was placed at the internet link http://www.eci-networks.org/eci_murre.htm for future guidance of the farming communities.

The Master Trainers were enabled and fully trained in dissemination of information within and outside their community organizations. As a result, the education of Community IPM became a part of their monthly meetings.

As a result of publicity of the program and on the request of NRSP Rawalakot and NRSP Hyderabad, similar short courses on TOTs were also designed and conducted for their respective communities in Rawalakot and Hyderabad regions.

The project has been very instrumental in resource mobilization. Looking at the program benefits, NRSP Murree also contributed in financial terms by donating apple plants to the Master Trainers in addition to the plants provided by the UNDP/GEF sponsored project. This led to increase the size of house orchards from 20 to 50 per orchard. Similarly the project has also become a mainstream program in assisting the other small scale partner organizations of UNDP / GEF including Hirrak Development Center (HDC) Kot Addu in supply and application of pheromone traps for management of cotton pests; Soan Valley Development Project (SVDP) in their efforts for development of vegetable IPM initiatives and Pothohar Welfare Society (PWS) Gujar Khan for Community Development Project in their area.

In addition to IPM initiatives, the project has helped ECI strengthen its professional networking with a large number of organizations in Pakistan opening a gateway for development of additional projects.