16–22 August 2025, Hyderabad
The ICAR–Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR–IIRR), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, observed Parthenium Awareness Week from 16 to 22 August 2025. The week-long campaign included a series of awareness and eradication activities aimed at educating farm labourers, farmers, and agricultural officials about the harmful impacts of Parthenium hysterophorus and its effective management.
On 21 August 2025, an awareness programme was held at the ICAR–IIRR Research Farm, Rajendranagar, where farm labourers were sensitized about the invasive nature of Parthenium, its rapid spread, associated health hazards, and available management practices. Demonstrations were given on manual, mechanical, chemical, and biological control methods. The Director and field staff actively participated in mechanical and manual removal operations in different blocks of the farm. Young vegetative plants were composted, while flowering and seeding stage plants were collected and burnt outside the premises. Live specimens of Cassia tora, Tephrosia purpurea, Amaranthus, and Tagetes spp., known for their allelopathic effects in suppressing Parthenium, were also displayed.
On 22 August 2025, the campaign continued at the ICAR–IIRR Research Farm in the ICRISAT Campus, Ramachandrapuram. Posters in Telugu were displayed to explain the invasive nature, spread, and integrated management practices of Parthenium to farm staff and labourers, followed by a hands-on demonstration of manual and mechanical removal.
The same day, an awareness programme was also organized at the Farmers’ Assembly Hall in the Rajapet Cluster of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Telangana, covering five villages under direct-sown rice cultivation. Scientists of ICAR–IIRR, officials of the Agriculture Department, and farmers participated in the event. Posters in Telugu, live specimens of allelopathic plants, and demonstrations of herbicide applications were used to create awareness. Participants also engaged in Parthenium removal activities around field bunds, roadside areas, and the Rythu Assembly Hall premises.
Additionally, a chemical control campaign was conducted on 22 August 2025, where non-selective herbicides such as Glufosinate Ammonium and Paraquat + 2,4-D were sprayed on Parthenium infested field bunds, near borewells, threshing floors, field drain channels, and roadside areas within the farm premises.
The week-long observance successfully sensitized farmers, farm labourers, and agricultural officials about the menace of Parthenium and emphasized the importance of adopting integrated management practices for sustainable control.
(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad)
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