France adopts TNAU insect trap for grains

“A French firm took 25 devices of the ‘probe trap models’ of insect trap to test their efficiency in containing pests in stored grain. After three months of testing, the foreign firm sent a communiqué to TNAU expressing its willingness to adopt the technology. This is a proud achievement,” said Dr S Mohan, professor of Agricultural Entomolgy, TNAU, who developed the device.

In France, corn produced in huge quantity is stored in farms for certain periods based on demand, and this makes it prone to infestation. “The positive feedback has opened up the scope for reaching out to more European countries, where corn is one of the major crops. The device can also be used for other food grain,” said Dr Mohan. Dr Mohan had been praised by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who also allowed a cash reward for him, when he first came up with the prototype of the insect trap device in plastic. He is also the recipient of outstanding exemption scientist award from the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) for taking the insect trap technology to the people of the country. The insect trap, later made with stainless steel, has been commercialised by Agri Business Directorate (ABD) of TNAU. 

The device, with a main tube, along with another insect trapping tube and detachable cone, works on a relatively new method of detecting and trapping insects in stored grain. “The device can remove over 80% insects,” Dr Mohan added. 

Over 0.5 million farmers and households in India are currently using the device. “It has also been introduced in Thailand, Turkey, Rwanda, Nigeria and Ethiopia. In India, most farmers and households in TN, MP, Telengana, Karnataka and UP have adopted this technology,” he said.