Bijnor: Uttam Sugar Mills organised a training programme for farmers in Harewali village of the Mandawali area, focusing on pest control techniques to improve sugarcane production.

During the session, mill staff demonstrated the use of 'light trap' devices, which are installed in fields at night to attract and eliminate harmful insects. The device draws pests towards light, causing them to fall into a container where they are destroyed, Bhaskar reported.

An official, Pradeep Tomar, informed farmers about various pests that affect sugarcane, including early shoot borer, top borer, internode borer and root borer. He explained how these pests damage crops at different stages, leading to lower yield and reduced sugar quality.

Farmers were told that early shoot borer damages the crop at the initial stage, while top borer affects the upper part of the plant. Internode borer weakens the stem by creating holes, and root borer harms the base of the plant.

Officials said the use of light traps can help control these pests effectively and support better crop output.