A group of tribal farmers, belonging to Erode district, received training on natural crop management of minor millets at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) here.

The one-day training, organised on February 3, was attended by 30 tribal farmers from Thittakkarai of Bargur Hills, also included use of various bio-inoculants used for crop cultivation.

The training was organised by the Department of Agricultural Entomology, Directorate of Centre for Plant Protection Studies, which was arranged with financial assistance from Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Delhi, under the scheme on Biological Control of Crop Pests.

The use of parasitoids, predators, bio-pesticides and entomopathogens in the management of key pests affecting minor millets, were also demonstrated.

They were provided with one kilo gram each of Azospirillum, Phosphobacteria, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma viridi and Metarhiziumpathogens.

Besides bio-inoculants, they were also supplied with three kg of ragi seeds and 500 ml of neem oil.