Report on observation of Sixteenth Parthenium awareness week at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru from 16-22, August,2021
Sixteenth Parthenium awareness week was observed from 16-22, August,2021 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru and its regional stations. Parthenium awareness week was observed at individual division level in order to maintain the social distancing. Each division was made in-charge of each block of the institute farms. The staff of various divisions, regional stations, KVK’s of ICAR-IIHR have taken up one-hour shramdhaan every day in their respective blocks/places for uprooting parthenium weed. Due to consistent efforts made during past five years, IIHR farms are almost free of parthenium weed. We could find very few flowering plants scattered sparsely, which were uprooted manually and the biomass was shifted to composting yard to convert it into manure.
This programme was initiated on 16.8.2021, Mrs. Jayanthi Mala B R, Nodal Officer Swachh Bharath committee explained about the importance of the programme. Followed by a web meeting on the topic “Parthenium Awareness cum Eradication programme at ICAR-IIHR” by Dr. V. Sridhar, Principal Scientist (Agril. Entomology) and Secretary Association for Advancement of Pest Management in Horticultural Ecosystem (AAPMHE) explained activities, impact of Parthenium to environment, agricultural production and human health and the various efforts being made at IIHR in the past two years to make the campus Parthenium free.
On 21.8.2021 the avenue road of IIHR has been made completely parthenium free. Permanent boards about the ‘Parthenium Free Avenue Road’ of IIHR will be fixed in association with AAPHME. Also, the seeds of competitive plants which are capable of replacing parthenium, Cassia tora and Casia serratia has been broadcasted along the roadsides in parthenium infested patches. On the last day demonstration on compost preparation of parthenium weeds was organized by Dr. Kalaivannan, Scientist, Division of Natural Resources, ICAR-IIHR. He explained the windrow method of composting of parthenium.
The Parthenium awareness week was observed in cooperation with Director, staff of IIHR, its regional stations at Chettalli and Bhubaneswar, Hirehalli and KVK, Gonikoppal.
