A non-linear approach to the establishment of local biological control agent  production units: a case study of fall armyworm in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Strides have been made in Bangladesh to promote the utilisation of biological control agents (BCAs), however farmer utilisation remains sub-optimal. The establishment of local BCA production hubs, although touted as a panacea to this problem, has no proven business case. This study makes the case for a non-linear business model. Methods Qualitative and quantitative data from maize growing areas in Bangladesh was collected via telephone interviews from key informants representing four key stakeholders—national research institute, regional research stations, farmer producer organisations and agro-dealers. Results Farmer uptake of BCAs in Bangladesh for FAW management is hindered by several factors—lack of BCAs availability in local markets, negative farmer and agro-dealer perceptions, poor input industry linkages for the supply of BCAs products to agro-dealers and inadequate institutional finances for capacity building of and technical support by research scientists and extension agents. Given these challenges to BCAs uptake, an innovation systems-based business model that links researchers, extensionists, agro-dealers and farmer producer organizations in a non-linear pathway is proposed for Bangladesh. This translates into the establishment of local BCA production hubs owner-managed by farm entrepreneurs, with scientists providing them with nucleus culture, while extension services provide technical support for quality assurance. The interaction between all stakeholders is non-linear with all actors intellectually consulted and engaged, with technical capacity on BCAs available for any actor requiring it. Multi-disciplinary research, that takes into account feedback from stakeholders, complements the process thus generating robust and relevant knowledge for feedbacking to improve the business model, capacity building initiatives and farmer engagement. Conclusions Mentoring and capacity building leveraged via engagement of research institutions; and demonstration of technology use and guidance utilising extension services and agro-dealer networks, will promote the utilisation of BCAs for FAW management and enable local farm entrepreneurs to meet the increased demand via establishment of local BCA production hubs.

African women and young people as agriculture service providers—business models, benefits, gaps and opportunities

“…Figure 1 presents a conceptual framework for understanding service provision in the agriculture sector that is inclusive of women and young people. In general, agricultural service provision is envisioned as a circular business model (Kadzamira et al 2022), centred around enabling collaboration between diverse and independent actors along a specific value chain. Business models that include women and young people enable them to deliver a range of agricultural services, such as linking farmers to input and output markets, insurance, finance and credit services (Coulter et al 1999).…”

“…Finally, the most successful business models are those that are circular in nature. Traditionally circular business models are focused on sustainability-delivering products and services while considering ecological and social impacts (Kadzamira et al 2022). In the case of business models aimed at positioning young people and women as service providers, the focus is one component of circularity, enabling collaboration between diverse and independent actors along the value chain.…”

Temperature-Dependent Development Models Describing the Effects of Temperature on the Development of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…However, those studies estimated the temperature thresholds of S. frugiperda using linear regression despite the known nonlinear response of ectotherms to temperature. Moreover, few studies on nonlinear models of S. frugiperda have either used a single model or focused on environmental parameters other than temperature [23][24][25]. Since its global invasion, the FAW has become a major pest of several crops.…”