A team of scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research’s Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI), Shimla, has developed an innovative wind-powered insect air trap aimed at revolutionizing pest management in agriculture. Led by Dr. Kapil Kumar Sharma, CTO, Trap promises to improve the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) programs by addressing critical gaps in traditional pest management methods. This eco-friendly solution is powered entirely by wind power to capture both harmful and beneficial insects, providing a comprehensive overview of insect populations in agricultural areas. This invention marks a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable agriculture, offering farmers around the world a zero-energy solution.
The design of the trap allows for both quantitative and qualitative assessment of flying insects in the field, collecting insects at any time of the day or night, which makes it easy to study the population dynamics of aerial insects. Since patent rights are officially recognized by the Patent, Design and Trademark Office of India, the invention protects the intellectual property and opens up opportunities for further development and commercialization. Dr. Sharma envisions expanding the reach of the trap by collaborating with interested growers, promoting innovation in agricultural science, and promoting sustainable management of plant health worldwide.
