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Tuesday | September 22, 2026 | Dhaka

Bird perching pest control gains popularity in Hossainpur

 Ashraf Ahmed, Hossainpur
 Published: 12:01 AM, 22 September 2026  Updated: 10:56 PM, 21 September 2026

Farmers in Hossainpur upazila of Kishoreganj are increasingly using the traditional bird-perching method to control pests in their transplanted Aman rice fields, reducing their dependence on chemical pesticides.
The practice, known locally as perching, involves placing tree branches or bamboo sticks in rice fields to provide birds with places to sit. The birds then feed on harmful insects, helping farmers control pests naturally.

A recent visit to different areas of the upazila found farmers placing branches and bamboo sticks at various points in their rice fields. Birds were seen perching on them and feeding on insects.

Local farmers said the method has reduced pest attacks and helped lower the cost of rice production by reducing the need for pesticides.

Zahid Hasan Roni, an agriculture sub-assistant officer and block supervisor in the upazila, said perching is an effective and low-cost method of pest control.

“The method has been widely adopted by farmers in the area, and they are benefiting from it,” he said.
He said the practice is also helping farmers distinguish between beneficial and harmful insects and realise that pesticides do not need to be applied whenever insects are found in a field.

According to the upazila agriculture office, a bird feeding on one harmful insect can help prevent the spread of an estimated 150 to 250 insects, as a single harmful insect can lay around 150 to 250 eggs.

Agriculture officials said placing perches from the field bunds toward the middle of the rice field produces better results.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Agriculturist Mohammad Mohsin said birds can easily feed on and destroy harmful insects when perches are installed in rice fields.

“The insects cannot reproduce when birds eat them,” he said, adding that the practice benefits farmers while significantly reducing the use of pesticides.

Swapan Mia of Char Hajipur village and Saiful Islam of Charkati Hari village said birds regularly perch on the bamboo sticks placed in their fields and feed on insects.

“After introducing perches, pest attacks on our rice fields have decreased significantly,” they said.