Category: Bioprotection successes
Stories from farmers using bioprotection approaches to combat pests and increase yields.
At a glance
- PlantwisePlus and the Government of Pakistan established Trichogramma Rearing Facilities (TRFs) in Mardan, Muzaffargarh, and Muzaffarabad.
- Farmers now use Trichogramma chilonis wasps to control harmful pests like the tomato fruit borer.
- Agricultural Officers distribute 50,000 Trichogramma egg cards annually, advising farmers on sustainable pest management.
- The initiative has reduced pesticide use, improved yields, leading to the establishment of a centre of excellence in biological pest control for South Punjab.
Agriculture remains the backbone of many rural communities in Pakistan. However, pest outbreaks have long challenged farmers, who often rely on chemical pesticides.
To provide a safer, sustainable solution, CABI’s PlantwisePlus programme partnered with the Government of Pakistan to establish Trichogramma Rearing Facilities (TRFs). The first facility opened in Mardan, followed by two more in Muzaffargarh and Muzaffarabad. These centres mass-produce Trichogramma chilonis, tiny parasitic wasps that target crop pests before they cause severe damage.
How Trichogramma works
The process is an example of augmentative biological control. At each TRF teams are rearing the rice moth Corcyra to collect its eggs, which Trichogramma then parasitises. The resulting egg cards – small sheets with thousands of parasitised eggs – are distributed to farmers.
When farmers staple these cards under crop leaves every 10–14 days during the fruiting season, the emerging wasps seek out pests. They lay their eggs inside the pest eggs, stopping damage before it begins.
Farmer Akbar Ali Khan from Mardan recalls the straightforward process:
“They (advisors) used to visit our fields and give us cards. There were eggs on those cards which we placed on the eastern side of our field. They stapled these cards under leaves and that gave us very good results.”
Building local expertise
The TRFs have become hubs of innovation, producing tens of thousands of egg cards annually. Agricultural Officers visit farms to guide farmers on when and how to release Trichogramma, ensuring consistent pest suppression and healthier crops.
With each card containing thousands of beneficial insects, and with a Trichogramma life cycle of just one to two weeks, the system is efficient and highly scalable.
Impact on farmers
- Lower pesticide use
- Improved yields and quality
- Economic benefits
The TRF in South Punjab has earned recognition as a centre of excellence, driving wider adoption of biological pest control across the region.
In summary
By using Trichogramma wasps, farmers are reducing their reliance on chemicals, protecting their livelihoods, and supporting a more sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
Watch now
Meet the people involved in ensuring success at the TRFs in Pakistan: