Pesticide is a general term to describe all types of pest poisons. The word pesticide comes from the phrase pest and cide / cida, which means pest killer. In several studies, conventional chemical-based pesticides are often associated with farmers' health problems and water pollution. To minimize this risk, farmers can use plant-based pesticides as an alternative to traditional pesticides. Plant-based pesticides have active ingredients from plants and other organic materials that are efficacious in controlling pests and plant diseases. In addition, plants that have the potential to be used as pesticides have a strong aroma and bitter taste, are not liked by insect pests, and can be used as medicinal plants. Some plants can be used as raw materials for vegetable pesticides, such as papaya leaves, brotowali, garlic, neem, kipait, saliara, suren, and jatropha. Danu Setiyawan, a UNY student, participating in the community service program, conveyed this, in agricultural socialization in Canan Village, Wedi, Klaten. "The price of plant-based pesticides is relatively low because the raw materials are available in nature, easily decomposed, the manufacturing process uses simple tools, and is safe for humans. The use of plant-based pesticides also does not cause insect immunity, and the dosage is adjustable," said Danu, Monday (26/9).
These vegetable pesticides are repellent, appetite inhibitors, and developmental inhibitors and have a direct effect as poison. "The use is enough to mix 100 ml of pesticide in 10 liters of water, then spray it on the plants," said Ayesya Larassekar Hikmatusyaich when explaining the procedure for using plant-based pesticides.
Agricultural Extension Officer of the Klaten Food and Agriculture Security Service, Agus Wiyana, recommended using vegetable pesticides. "The use of botanical pesticides on agricultural land will support efforts to produce food products that are healthier and free of pollutants. In addition, vegetable pesticides also reduce the risk of death of microbes or natural enemies of pests," said Agus.
From the test results, a farmer named Sugono said that the effectiveness of plant-based pesticides is quite extraordinary. "From my experience, the pesticide that was supposed to be for leafhoppers, when tested on chili plants, turned out to be reduced by mealybugs," said Sugono.
This community service activity in the Wedi area, Klaten district, is a form of UNY's commitment to supporting local food production and sustainable agriculture. "We hope that this activity will help farmers in dealing with leafhoppers more economically," said Fatmah Nurul Pertiwi, a UNY student participating in the community service program in Canan Village, Wedi, Klaten Regency.
