India

1000 new ‘plant doctors’ trained in Karnataka

The Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, and BCRL-PCI are funding the establishment of the plant clinics in Karnataka in order to empower local farmers to deal with endemic pests and diseases, and help create an early warning system for those that are spreading.

Nearly 1000 farmers in 18 districts have been selected to receive plant doctor training during 2010–11. The trainees all come from farming families and have a keen interest in agriculture. Many of them are women or come from disadvantaged groups.

“This is a major commitment from the Karnataka State Department of Agriculture and BCRL-PCI, and one that I am sure will deliver substantial benefits to the state as a whole,” said Eric Boa, Global Director, Plant Health Systems at CABI. 

Woman plant doctor advises women farmers at Indian plant clinic