Photo : BSS

By Md Mamun Islam

 
RANGPUR, Nov 3, 2025 (BSS) - Adopting environmentally friendly perching pest management techniques for rice cultivation has become popular among farmers to control insect infestations and achieve good yields in Rangpur agricultural region.

 
In the perching method, farmers place bamboo poles or tree branches at a certain distance above the rice field so that birds can perch there and eat pests harmful to the rice plants, protecting the crop and reducing the use of pesticides.

 
Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) for Rangpur region Agriculturist Md Sirajul Islam said farmers are implementing both live and dead perching techniques to protect rice plants from insect attacks to achieve superior rice yields.

 
"Farmers are benefiting immensely by adopting the simplest and most environmentally friendly perching method to combat insect attacks both on Boro and Aman rice plants at low cost and reduce the use of pesticides and get hygienic rice," he said.

 
During the current Aman rice cultivation season, farmers have cultivated Aman rice on 6,21,505 hectares of land, out of which 3,69,160 hectares of cultivable land have already been brought under the perching method of pest management.
 

Farmers have already installed bamboo poles or tree branches in 3,69,160 hectares of Aman rice fields in all five districts of Rangpur, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari in this region, where the process continues.
 

They are adopting low-cost, effective and environment-friendly perching methods to protect Boro and Aman rice plants from insect attacks and produce healthy rice following a massive motivational and training program conducted by the DAE in the region.

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Md Mamunur Rashid, a PhD Fellow in the Department of Agricultural Extension at Dinajpur Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology, said that arbitrary use of pesticides poses a threat to the biodiversity and ecosystem.

 
As a result, many native species of fish, beneficial insects, and birds are becoming extinct, causing an imbalance in nature and degrading the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems.

  
The motivational program conducted by the DAE is educating farmers to protect their growing rice plants from insect attacks and save money by using the perching method as the application of this method has been truly productive and profitable.

 
"The perching method in rice fields provides economic, environmental, and health benefits by using simple bamboo poles or branches to attract predatory birds that eat harmful pests, reducing the need for pesticides and promoting more hygienic rice production," he said.
 

Talking to BSS, farmers Hamidur Rahman of village Pairaband in Mithapukur upazila and Isahaque Ali of village Kathihara in Sadar upazila of Rangpur said they are adopting the perching method both in their Boro and Aman rice fields every year.

 
"Adoption of the perching method of pest management in growing rice fields helps to produce more hygienic rice minimising cost of insecticides along with saving the environment and reviving the biodiversity and ecosystems," said Isahaque Ali. 

 
Farmers Abul Hossain of village Dolapara in Taraganj upazila and Badiul Alam of village Balapara in Kawnia upazila of Rangpur said that they are reaping benefits from adoption of the perching pest management method in rice fields every year.