Farmers' knowledge, perceptions, and management practices of the new invasive pest, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Ethiopia and Kenya. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumela, Teshome; Simiyu, Josephine; Sisay, Birhanu; Likhayo, Paddy; Mendesil, Esayas; Gohole, Linnet; Tefera, Tadele
• Is Part Of: International journal of pest management. Volume 65:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Damage -- East Africa -- farmers' perceptions -- maize -- pest control; Pests -- Control -- Periodicals; Agricultural pests -- Periodicals; Plant diseases -- Periodicals; Pesticides -- Periodicals; 632.9
• DOI: 10.1080/09670874.2017.1423129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-0874

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper reports for the first time on farmers' knowledge, perceptions and management practices of the fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda ) in Ethiopia and Kenya. A survey of 343 smallholder maize farmers was conducted. Most farmers in Ethiopia and Kenya had knowledge about fall armyworm; they could identify it mainly during its larval stage. Furthermore, most farmers in Ethiopia (93%) and Kenya (97%) encountered damage by fall armyworm in their farms. They estimated an average of 32% crop damage in Ethiopia and 47.3% of crop damage in Kenya, with an estimated yield reduction between 0.8 to 1 tonnes/ha. Nearly half of the farmers relied on chemical insecticides to control this pest. The majority (60%) of the farmers in Kenya perceived that insecticides were not effective in controlling fall armyworm as compared to most farmers (46%) in Ethiopia who perceived that chemical spray is effective for the control of fall armyworm. In Ethiopia, 26% of the farmers combined handpicking larvae with insecticide sprays, whilst 15% of the farmers practiced only handpicking. The present study highlights the need to develop management strategies for fall armyworm based on farmers' needs and priorities.