Tools for stored product insects management and technology transfer

Food grains are stored in farm, home or warehouses and insects continue to create problems by causing qualitative and quantitative damage in storage. This necessitates the use of tools for early detection (probe trap, pit fall trap and stack probe trap- Indian Patent Application No.1733/CHE/2008, dt.24.7.2008, early adult removal (Insect removal bins), or for control (Insect egg removal device- Indian Patent No. 198434, and UV Light trap). These tools have become essential in the current scenario of “Global Food security”. Attempts were made to transfer these tools namely viz., TNAU insect probe trap, Pitfall trap, Two-in-one trap, Indicator device, Automatic insect removal bin, Egg remover device, Stack probe trap and UV Light trap for warehouse, to end users in a systematic and scientific way following the basic principles of agricultural extension. The methods used were by developing entrepreneurs for continuous supply of the tools, feedback studies in various states of India, by conducting training to end users and reaching students of agricultural colleges through developing a “Educational Kit” with multimedia, hosting the trapping devices on many websites and publishing details of the tools in popular magazines. A significant impact has resulted because of these exercises in terms of end users of the technologies.