Improving information on rice pests and diseases in Bangladesh |
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| Managing rice pests in Bangladesh: improving Extension Service information management for policy and planning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A computer programme to record and analyse information on pests and diseases will help agricultural departments in Bangladesh alert farmers quickly to threats. The new system speeds up the time it takes for data from districts to be analysed and the results fed back to the local offices. This means early warnings for farmers who can then take action. As it's based on the old paper system, the new system is very user-friendly. Proven for rice pests and diseases in Bangladesh, the software could also be used for other crops, and even across borders. Indian authorities are already interested in using the software to monitor pests in the border area with Bangladesh. Project Ref: CPP61:
Research Programmes: Crop Protection Programme. Some partner project staff in Bangladesh were supported by DANIDA (under the DAE-DANINDA Supporting Plant Protection Programme - SPPS) Relevant Research Projects: Project numbers: R8447 Institutional partners and contact persons: The project activities were undertaken by a coordinated team effort involving the following scientist and extension staff:
Insects, pathogens and weeds still represent a major constraint to rice crop production in Bangladesh. A major thrust has been the promotion and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques as national policy. The Government Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) provides state support to IPM. DAE attempts to coordinate its central and local activities through a nation-wide pest/disease surveillance, forecasting and early warning scheme. This scheme was developed in the late 1990s in response to perceived deficiencies in the original system but the scheme still fails objectives. Critically, DAE only have a capacity to undertake pest surveillance and the whole operation is based on the hand processing of data that creates a range of problems. Lack of capacity and technology within the infrastructure is undermining the previous investment in IPM and is unintentionally promoting insecticide use by farmers. In this project activities were undertaken to build on the current pest surveillance operation by clarifying its purposes and the information required and improving information collection methods, management and flow (within DAE and to farmers, NGOs). Three researchable constraints were addressed; key outputs were: Design of an improved rice pest surveillance and forecasting scheme The design of a modified pest surveillance/forecasting scheme was developed with DAE and other partners and the technical barriers to overcome in order to achieve the purposes have been identified. Recommendations have been agreed for efficient data management and also for data products; specifically the development of electronic data sheets for processing data at the District and National levels Recommendations have been agreed for the training of trainers and the training of DAE District level officers in the use of electronic data sheets Rice pest data collection and collation methods A report was produced describing the information contained in the current pest surveillance and reporting forms, identifying potential ambiguity and subjectivity and ways in which the use of the forms can be standardized as possible. Recommendations were made for the improvement of sampling protocols and for methods for data synthesis at the Upazilla and above levels. There is also a need for new officers to be trained in pest identification. Development of a centralised electronic database for pest surveillance Automated spreadsheet versions of the series of forms used at the District level and above were produced along with a written specification of the software. The soft ware package was validated at a workshop held at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. This included 38 DAE officers from across Bangladesh and 18 trainers/resource personnel. Recommendations were made for the future role out of the technology. The RNRRS outputs were produced/delivered in January 2006
The outputs are focussed on rice but Bangladesh partners have requested that the results are also applied to vegetables. This can be easily done by extending the database and field monitoring scheme.
The outputs of this RNRRS project have the potential to link the outputs of many other projects - RNRRS and non RNRRS - thus in combination creating support for an increased national uptake of environmentally benign IPM for small holders in Bangladesh. This would benefit many of thousands of farmers (male and female) across the country. In the first instance, pest/weed status information and management tools developed under other RNRRS projects could be linked into the national database. This would allow a more efficient use of and channelling of government resources and farmer training to those areas that need most attention. RNRRS project that are likely to provide potential for linkages are:
Secondly, the outputs could also link with and utilize RNRRS outputs that have focussed on 'methods', for example data management (R8301 - Data management) The project outputs would also complement the current national thrust to improve and increase farmer field schools and organic farming. This is being promoted by the DAE-DANIDA Strengthening Plant Protection Services (SPPS) Project. Many in the DAE team in this project are the same as those who have worked on the RNRRS project. Finally, the outputs would also link well with DFIDs Plant Clinic initiative being run by CAB International. How the outputs were validated: The main output of this project was the first listed above - 'design of an improved rice pest surveillance and forecasting system' and its implementation. The other two outputs are in support of this main output. The main output has at its core the development of a computerised system for data management and information flow based on the current paper system for recording pest/disease incidence in the field and then collation at various administrative levels for final processing at DAE headquarters. The main product (output) developed under the project was an electronic database involving the automation of the surveillance forms used at the district and headquarter levels of DAE. This will allow data and information to be processed quickly and passed onto stakeholders (DAE field officers and NGOs) for actions such as awareness raising/support in areas at risk from pest/disease attack. The aim was to establish this computerised system as a core such that the computerised database can be extended down to include forms used at the field level as a post-project activity. The system can also be extended to include historical data on pests and diseases held in DAE archives (on paper) and this can be used to develop simple forecasting models. The automated forms developed for the district levels and above were validated at a workshop organised by BRRI and DAE for extension workers. (DAE is the organisation that is responsible for pest surveillance and forecasting - rice and vegetables - and BRRI is a research -based organisation that supports DAE on matters related to rice.) Thirty-eight officers (male and female) attended from across Bangladesh and representing DAE at all levels from block level (i.e. field) through to headquarters level. These participants were supported by 18 trainers and resource personnel from BRRI, DAE and external collaborators. Trainers and resource persons from BRRI included their Agricultural Statistics Division and their Adaptive Research Division. The main aims were to train the participants but also to test the software at the same time. DAE master trainers (for extension workers) also attended. They used the workshop as model for further training courses. This process validated the software. It also enabled the Bangladesh partners to take complete ownership. The software was packaged and delivered to DAE as a product complete with full instructions on use. Finally, India have show interest in this computerised surveillance system as some of the Indian states in the east and northeast are affected by the same pests and diseases as Bangladesh. So far both countries have agreed to develop plans to exchange information. This was done as part of the rice hispa project (see R7891). Where the Outputs were Validated: The output discussed above was validated in Bangladesh at BRRI headquarters at Gazipur in early 2006. The DAE staff that attended the training and validation process were both male and female and represented Extension workers at all levels from within DAE; i.e block (field), Upazilla, District and Headquarters. DAE was also represented at the most senior level. The production system is Land-water and all rice farming systems. Although the computerised system has been produced for rice systems, DAE have requested that it be extended to include vegetable crops as they also have a national surveillance system for vegetable pests and diseases. Many smallholders across the country grow rice and vegetables. Who are the Users? The technology for the output discussed is held by BRRI and DAE in Bangladesh. The current situation is as follows: DAE. - The pest management wing has a plan to implement and expand on the computerised system for pest surveillance. But they are hampered by a lack of computer skills to organise the system internally. Nonetheless, they have reconfirmed their commitment to implement during the preparation of this proforma. Also new government policy to computerise the civil service will facilitate implementation The barriers mentioned here are discussed below. BRRI - The Division of Agricultural Statistics hold the software as well and are ready to support DAE once a system is implemented. BRRI are also making preliminary investigations into extending the automated form software as mentioned above Where the outputs have been used: The central output has yet to be implemented but when it is DAE may implement the computerised system in a few Districts to 'trial' the system and then expand to all Districts. DAE also have requested that the computerised system be extended to vegetable pests; this will also be national in coverage. Scale of Current Use: As mentioned above, the main output has still to be implemented in Bangladesh. But India (Assam state) has expressed an interest because of the potential to exchange information about pests and diseases of regional significance. Policy and Institutional Structures, and Key Components for Success: In Bangladesh a major thrust at national level has been the promotion and implementation of integrated pest management techniques. This also captured in national policy that explicitly aims to reduce pesticide use and support the development of environmentally benign tools. The main body responsible for the 'role out' of this policy is the DAE, supported in the case of rice, by BRRI. There is an understanding that IPM by farmers will also be supported through state level actions by DAE; e.g early warning through pest surveillance and the supply of some materials such as sweep nets and sprayers. A core element of the IPM framework has been the development of farmer field schools and these are being implemented on a national basis. The overall IPM framework has provided the platform on which the CPP project output been able to build and strengthen the pest and disease surveillance and forecasting system. The out has also benefited from the research support that BRRI provides DAE; e.g through BRRIs Agricultural Statistics Division. Lessons Learned and Uptake Pathways Promotion of Outputs: At this promotion is taking placewithinDAE (Bangladesh) and to government to engineer the support for the implementation of the main output. The output has strong support within DAE at the most senior levels but DAE only have limited resources and may commitments so the continued championing of particular initiatives is very important. Potential Barriers Preventing Adoption of Outputs: The main barrier is the lack of capacity for the organisation of a computerised database system within DAE and the lack of computer skills. There is also a need for further training of DAE staff at the District and Upazilla administrative levels in computerised systems. But the validation workshop clearly demonstrated that DAE field staff do not have a problem with learning computer skills. An additional problem is that the current pest surveillance system (based on hand-filled paper system) is essentially defunct. Thus most stakeholders in the field have limited knowledge of pest surveillance systems and the benefits they can bring to the application of pest management. Thus there is also a need for promotional work on the benefits of pest surveillance and forecasting and how the system can support farmers; and help in what they are learning through farmer field schools. How to Overcome Barriers to Adoption of Outputs: There is an intention by government to computerise the civil service and this will have benefits for the implementation of specific initiatives under government departments such as pest surveillance and forecasting under DAE. However, the main need is for a 'critical mass' of skill to be available in DAE, not a complete 'computerisation' of the whole department Investment is also need in training in computer skills; again this could be focussed to allow a critical mass of skill to be established in DAE. Wider computer skill training is also needed for DAE staff in the districts etc. Finally, investment is needed to promote the concept of pest surveillance. This could be realised through the farmer filed school programme. Lessons Learned: Pest surveillance and forecasting is mostly about developing early warnings about the status of pests and diseases for field extension workers, farmers and NGOs working in support of farmers. Such information allows time and resources by these stakeholders to be used to best effect. In general, computers and internet are being used more and more widely, even in some poor countries like Bangladesh. Computers and software can make the processing of information such as pest surveillance data so much more efficient for an Extension service. Thus an emphasis on getting computerised systems working on pest surveillance will bring benefits to many people who live in rural areas and whose crops are at risk form major pests and diseases. Poverty Impact Studies: The output is not at the stage where impact studies can be conducted. But this will be possible once a computerised system for pest surveillance is established in a few trial districts. The information processed will allow a better targeting of effort and resources against particular pests and diseases that may develop in some areas. Direct and Indirect Environmental Benefits: The implementation of the output will underpin the current efforts to promote environmentally benign IPM through farmer field schools. Advance warning about pests and diseases will allow farmers and support workers time to implement control tools promoted through the field schools. Thus, the output will facilitate efforts to conserve native natural enemies of rice and vegetable pests. There will also be similar benefits to other biodiversity. It will also help efforts to reduce use of chemicals such as insecticides. Adverse Environmental Impacts: There are no adverse environmental impacts associated with the development or implementation of this output. Coping with the Effects of Climate Change, or Risk from Natural Disasters: Yes, this output provides a direct means for a national system to be established that provide an early warning system for emerging pests and diseases that threaten rice and vegetable crops. Some of these pests and diseases can destroy crops on a regional basis. Relevant Research Projects,
with links to the
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For relevant research projects, with links to further information  Geographical regions included: Bangladesh,  Target Audiences for this content:Crop farmers, |
