Farmers' knowledge, perceptions and management of diseases affecting sweet potatoes in the Lake Victoria Zone region, Tanzania

Adam, Rahma; Sindi, Kirimi; Badstue, L.B.

doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2015.02.010

Cited by 39 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Other sources of insect pest management information such NGOs had fewer respondents but were important in the dissemination of pest management information. This was in line with a study that was carried out in Tanzania which showed that apart from farmer extension services as the main source of information, farmers can also acquire information on various farming ideas through other means such as through farming experience and various informal networks (Adam et al, 2015). In a related study that was carried out in Italy, it was shown that apart of agricultural extension, farmers' field days were found to be effective way of communicating risks and adaptation options to a changing climate (Menapace et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

“…Removal of heavily affected plants and the use of pest resistant plant varieties was practiced by sweet potato farmers in Tanzania where 72% of the farmers in the Mara region removed affected plants from the field while (55%) stopped growing a variety in their field or got a resistant plant material (Adam et al, 2015). This management strategy reduced the chances of migration of insect pests to adjacent healthy crops or fields (Okonya & Kroschel, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most vegetable crops are grown in agro-ecological zones which are different from their regions of origin, therefore, they are more susceptible to adverse bioclimatic factors and the associated losses (S. Singh & D. R. Singh, 2013). There is thus a gap in assessing smallholder farmer's knowledge and management of insect pests under a changing climate (Adam et al, 2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study focused on the concepts of knowledge and practices, which have been previously used in some studies in developing countries (Adam et al, 2015;. Since adaptation is key for improving food security (Kihupi et al, 2015;Ramirez-Villegas & Thornton, 2015), there is need to identify adaptation strategies in the management of insect pests by the smallholder farmers in a changing and variable climate and hence improve food security.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Farmer Knowledge of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in the Management of Vegetable Insect Pests in Zimbabwe

Katsaruware-Chapoto¹,

Mafongoya²,

Gubba³

2017

JAS

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Farmer knowledge of insect pests' risks in a changing climate is important in managing insect pests' incidence. A total of 250 vegetable farmers from 5 wards in Zimbabwe were sampled using a semi-structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge on climate change risk, its impact on vegetable insects pests and management strategies to reduce the increased incidence of insect pests. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations were also used. Droughts and elevated temperatures were perceived to have the greatest impact on vegetable insect pests resulting in their increased incidence. Aphids, cutworms and whiteflies were identified among the major pests that have increased. The majority (53%) of the farmers cited high vegetable losses from insect pests attack. All the respondents (100%) revealed the use of chemical insecticides during production of vegetables. A higher proportion (60%) perceived effective control, 34% perceived reduced efficacy and 6% were not sure of effectiveness of chemical insecticides. Management strategies to cope with the increasing insect pests and diseases on vegetable production also included planting insect resistant cultivars, certified seeds, increased frequency of application of synthetic insecticides, insecticide mixtures, use of more hazardous chemical insecticides and increasing the rates of application resulting in insecticide overuse. There is need for government to facilitate development and adoption of Integrated Insect Pest Management (IIPM) and raise awareness on avoiding overdependence on chemical insecticides. Modelling tools that support adaptation planning needs to be developed to forecast climate change risk and the resultant incidence of insect pests.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Farmer Knowledge of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in the Management of Vegetable Insect Pests in Zimbabwe

Katsaruware-Chapoto¹,

Mafongoya²,

Gubba³

2017

JAS

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“…The second variable is based on the respondent's assessment of whether the sweet potato is a reliable crop (on a four-point Likert scale where 1 = strongly agree and 4 = strongly disagree). Previous studies show that sweet potatoes are considered a good food security crop in sub-Saharan Africa because they are hardy, they do not require as much labor as some other staple crops, they are easily propagated, they can be grown where and when other crops would not do well, and they often serve as a reserve crop when grain crops fail (Badstue and Adam 2011;Adam 2013;Adam et al 2015).…”

Section: Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food security, sweet potato production, and proximity to markets in northern Ghana

Glenna

Borlu

Gill

et al. 2017

FACETS

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Debates concerning how to achieve food security tend to fall into one of two camps. The first is that high-technology, market-oriented approaches promise to enhance agricultural productivity and improve food security. The counterargument is that low-technology approaches, when combined with building social and physical infrastructure, are more effective at meeting people's food needs. Using a survey of 540 farm households in northern Ghana, we assess the level of food security for smallholders by analyzing the influence of a low-technology and low-external-input approach, such as sweet potatoes, and that of the production of an improved, commercially produced crop, such as rice. We also measure the influence of market access. Our results indicate that sweet potato producers are more likely to be food secure than commercial rice producers. However, the proximity to and interaction with markets is also associated with farmer food security, even when controlling for measures of prosperity. These findings suggest that low-technology approaches and high-technology, market-oriented approaches should not be treated as diametrically opposed to each other. Enhancing smallholder production of low-technology staple crops like sweet potatoes is likely to improve well-being. At the same time, interventions to build the physical and social infrastructure necessary to enable market participation would also be likely to enhance smallholder well-being.

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Farmer perception of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiderda J.E. Smith) and farm‐level management practices in Zambia

Kansiime

Mugambi

Rwomushana

et al. 2019

Pest Management Science

127

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BACKGROUND This paper documents farmer perceptions and management practices for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiderda J.E. Smith), providing a baseline for the development of sustainable pest management strategies. RESULTS 91% of farmers correctly identified fall armyworm, and reported it as the most important maize pest during 2016/2017 cropping season, affecting nearly half of cultivated area. Estimated maize yield loss during the season, attributed to fall armyworm was 28%. A majority of farmers (60%) used pesticides for fall armyworm control, along with other cultural/physical practices – hand picking and crushing egg masses/caterpillars (36%), and application of ash/sand in the funnel (19%). Farmers used various pesticide active ingredients, and protective measures were inadequate; >50% of farmers did not use any protective measures while spraying. Significantly more male than female farmers used pesticides (P = 0.05), and the reverse was true for cultural practices. Significant maize yield differences (P = 0.001) were observed by gender, attributed to differences in utilization of production inputs/practices. At least 77% of farmers received and shared agricultural advice, which can be optimized to spread information on fall armyworm management options. CONCLUSION Increased use of pesticides to manage fall armyworm poses health and environmental risks, besides the high cost for farmers and governments. Research into cultural and indigenous practices used by farmers will offer opportunities for alternative and sustainable management practices. Research efforts should pay attention to gender differences in access to resources and inputs. Tackling fall armyworm at the farm level, and averting yield losses will require integrated messaging addressing other production risks. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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Farmers' knowledge, perceptions and management of diseases affecting sweet potatoes in the Lake Victoria Zone region, Tanzania

Cited by 39 publications

References 22 publications

Farmer Knowledge of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in the Management of Vegetable Insect Pests in Zimbabwe

Farmer Knowledge of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies in the Management of Vegetable Insect Pests in Zimbabwe

Food security, sweet potato production, and proximity to markets in northern Ghana

Farmer perception of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiderda J.E. Smith) and farm‐level management practices in Zambia

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