Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya
Abstract Background Farmer perceptions are highly important in influencing on-farm pest management decision-making. Biological control is extremely sustainable in the smallholder production context, but in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) few attempts using this pest control method for arthropod pests have...
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CABI
2023-06-01
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| Series: | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00161-7 |
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| author | Kate Constantine Fernadis Makale Idah Mugambi Harrison Rware Duncan Chacha Alyssa Lowry Ivan Rwomushana Frances Williams |
| author_facet | Kate Constantine Fernadis Makale Idah Mugambi Harrison Rware Duncan Chacha Alyssa Lowry Ivan Rwomushana Frances Williams |
| author_sort | Kate Constantine |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Farmer perceptions are highly important in influencing on-farm pest management decision-making. Biological control is extremely sustainable in the smallholder production context, but in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) few attempts using this pest control method for arthropod pests have been successful, with one of the key reasons cited as poor involvement of farming communities and extension in the dissemination of information. Although farmers’ knowledge and attitudes are hugely important for the successful implementation of biological control, they are often disregarded. Papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) (PMB) has rapidly spread and established in suitable areas across Kenya becoming a serious pest. The objective of this study is to determine smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control; farmers’ willingness to reduce their chemical pesticide use; and levels of support for a classical biological control initiative for PMB management. Methods Household surveys were conducted covering 383 farming households (148 women) in four papaya producing counties in Kenya alongside key informant interviews with eight extension agents and thirty agro-dealers, and eight focus group discussions. Results Although some farmers demonstrated awareness of the concept of biological control they lacked knowledge, experience and technical support from extension or agro-dealers. Reasons for not using biological control included inadequate awareness and concerns over efficacy and safety. Farmers expressed high levels of interest and willingness to support biological control, and were willing to reduce their chemical pesticide use to help conserve, and support the establishment of natural enemies. County, perception of biological as safe, training in IPM and gender were all highly significant factors determining farmers willingness to support biological control. Conclusions Previously, poor attention has been paid to farmer perceptions and participation in biological control, which has resulted in limited success in developing countries. With high levels of interest and willingness to support biological control, the next step is to engage with farming communities impacted by PMB. By building awareness and capacity, and developing a management plan with farmers that will support the release and establishment of the biological control agent, Acerophagus papayae, long-term, sustainable control of PMB in Kenya is possible. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-39c867e72e0a4a598a928335e9c32426 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4044 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-39c867e72e0a4a598a928335e9c324262025-02-03T01:56:46ZengCABICABI Agriculture and Bioscience2662-40442023-06-014111510.1186/s43170-023-00161-7Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in KenyaKate Constantine0Fernadis Makale1Idah Mugambi2Harrison Rware3Duncan Chacha4Alyssa Lowry5Ivan Rwomushana6Frances Williams7CABICABICABICABICABICABICABICABIAbstract Background Farmer perceptions are highly important in influencing on-farm pest management decision-making. Biological control is extremely sustainable in the smallholder production context, but in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) few attempts using this pest control method for arthropod pests have been successful, with one of the key reasons cited as poor involvement of farming communities and extension in the dissemination of information. Although farmers’ knowledge and attitudes are hugely important for the successful implementation of biological control, they are often disregarded. Papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) (PMB) has rapidly spread and established in suitable areas across Kenya becoming a serious pest. The objective of this study is to determine smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control; farmers’ willingness to reduce their chemical pesticide use; and levels of support for a classical biological control initiative for PMB management. Methods Household surveys were conducted covering 383 farming households (148 women) in four papaya producing counties in Kenya alongside key informant interviews with eight extension agents and thirty agro-dealers, and eight focus group discussions. Results Although some farmers demonstrated awareness of the concept of biological control they lacked knowledge, experience and technical support from extension or agro-dealers. Reasons for not using biological control included inadequate awareness and concerns over efficacy and safety. Farmers expressed high levels of interest and willingness to support biological control, and were willing to reduce their chemical pesticide use to help conserve, and support the establishment of natural enemies. County, perception of biological as safe, training in IPM and gender were all highly significant factors determining farmers willingness to support biological control. Conclusions Previously, poor attention has been paid to farmer perceptions and participation in biological control, which has resulted in limited success in developing countries. With high levels of interest and willingness to support biological control, the next step is to engage with farming communities impacted by PMB. By building awareness and capacity, and developing a management plan with farmers that will support the release and establishment of the biological control agent, Acerophagus papayae, long-term, sustainable control of PMB in Kenya is possible.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00161-7Farmer perceptionsKnowledgeAttitudes and practices (KAP)Classical biological controlPapaya mealybugKenya |
| spellingShingle | Kate Constantine Fernadis Makale Idah Mugambi Harrison Rware Duncan Chacha Alyssa Lowry Ivan Rwomushana Frances Williams Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya CABI Agriculture and Bioscience Farmer perceptions Knowledge Attitudes and practices (KAP) Classical biological control Papaya mealybug Kenya |
| title | Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya |
| title_full | Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya |
| title_short | Smallholder farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in Kenya |
| title_sort | smallholder farmers knowledge attitudes and practices towards biological control of papaya mealybug in kenya |
| topic | Farmer perceptions Knowledge Attitudes and practices (KAP) Classical biological control Papaya mealybug Kenya |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00161-7 |
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