India: Fruit fly trap creates pest free mango zone

Unusual weather patterns have resulted in declining mango production in recent years, but there is hope in the form of a fruit fly trap developed by the Navsari Agricultural university.

A document from the agriculture ministry suggests that growers in Suray, Valsad and Navsari have achieved a level of 85% control of fruit fly, increasing yields by 27.27% over the past four years. The areas have now been declared fruit fly free zones.

In total 1, 10,640 traps, known as the Nauroji Stonehouse Fruit Fly Trap, were distributed to the growers who were told to maintain sanitation in the orchards. The damaged fruit was buried in pits with an application of methyl parathion. The project involved an investment of Rs 7.86 crore.

Girish Patel, a mango grower who exports to Europe said, "By using this trap I saved on the radiation and hot water treatment for my produce. The government must develop more fly free zones in the region."

It terms of cost benefit analysis, an estimated benefit of Rs 81,840 per hectare is achieved by spending a mere Rs 350. Thus implementation of the technology in over 6,000 hectare of mango benefited the farmers to the tune of about Rs 49 crores.

Source: timesofinia.indiatimes.com