Birds replace pesticides in Rangpur’s Aman fields

Farmers in the Rangpur region are increasingly turning to an environmentally friendly pest-control method known as perching to protect their transplanted Aman rice fields, reducing pesticide use and production costs while supporting healthier crop growth.

The method involves placing tree branches, bamboo sticks or poles, or growing dhaincha plants in rice fields to attract insect-eating birds. The birds feed on harmful insects and their larvae, helping farmers control pests naturally.

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), transplanted Aman rice was cultivated on 166,960 hectares of land in Rangpur district this year. Perching was used on 146,925 hectares, accounting for approximately 88 percent of the cultivated area.

Of the land under perching, live perching using dhaincha plants has been implemented on 15,500 hectares, while dead perching using tree branches, bamboo twigs and other structures has been used on 131,425 hectares.

Anwar Hossain, a sub-assistant agricultural officer in Kaunia upazila, said farmers in the area were increasingly adopting the technique following advice from agricultural officials. He cited farmers, including Mofizul Islam of the Rajib block and Asor Uddin of Nijdarpa village, as examples of those using the method to protect their crops.

Md. Lokman Hakim, agriculture officer of Mithapukur upazila, said farmers, particularly those cultivating low-lying land, were using dhaincha plants, tree branches and bamboo structures to attract insect-eating birds.

Agriculturist Md. Saiful Alam, acting deputy director of the DAE in Rangpur, said on Monday that farmers across the district’s eight upazilas had reported reductions of up to 70 percent in spending on pesticides and other crop-protection chemicals after adopting the method.

He said the reduced expenditure had lowered production costs, while the natural control of pests had contributed to better crop growth. Bird droppings also add organic matter to the soil and can help improve its fertility.

Favorable weather has contributed to good yields in several areas, and agricultural officials expect production to exceed the target. If weather conditions remain favorable until the end of the season, the district could have a rice surplus of more than 350,000 metric tonnes after meeting local demand, according to officials.

During visits to different areas of Kaunia upazila, lush green Aman fields could be seen across the landscape. Rice panicles had emerged in some fields, while the grains were beginning to ripen in others. Dhaincha plants, tree branches and bamboo structures stood throughout the fields, providing perching places for birds.

Drongos, mynas, bulbuls and oriental magpie-robins were seen resting on the structures and feeding on insects.

Farmers said the technique had helped reduce their dependence on chemical pesticides while keeping production costs under control.

“The perching method is quite effective in protecting crops from insect attacks. It is environmentally friendly and costs much less. That is why we are using this method instead of pesticides,” said Nasir Uddin, a farmer from Nijpara village.

Shahjahan Mondal, a rice farmer from Godai village, said his Aman crop was looking green and healthy this year after he used the method throughout his fields.

“We hope to bring home a good harvest in just a few more days,” he said.

Agricultural officials said major pests affecting Aman rice include stem borers, leaf folders, caseworms and armyworms. Birds attracted by the perching structures feed on these insects and their larvae, helping reduce pest populations and interrupting their breeding cycles.

Ratan Chandra, a farmer from Panditpara in North Khaleya of Rangpur Sadar upazila, said he had used live perching on his one-bigha Aman field and was satisfied with the results.

Abdus Sabur, a farmer from Payraband village, has also adopted the method on one acre of land to protect his rice crop from harmful insects.

Saiful Alam expressed hope that wider adoption of perching would encourage more sustainable farming practices, reduce dependence on chemical pesticides and help farmers maintain healthy crops in the coming years.