Barn Owl Project Barn Owl Pilot Project: Ecological Rodent Management in Lakshadweep

Launched in 2016, the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Pilot Project in Kavaratti, represents an innovative, eco-friendly initiative for biological rodent control in coconut ecosystems. Spearheaded by KVK Lakshadweep, in collaboration with Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) and the Department of Agriculture, UTLA, the project focuses on deploying natural predators by constructing barn owl nesting cages, effectively curbing rodent populations and reducing coconut yield losses. Demonstrating significant success in reducing crop damage, the initiative has been scaled up to Andrott and Minicoy islands, marking a shift towards eco-friendly pest management strategies in the island ecosystem. This nature-based solution not only safeguards yield but also enhances ecological balance, making it a model for integrated pest management in coastal agro-climatic regions.