Farmers' knowledge,perceptions, and management practices of the new invasive pest,fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Ethiopia and Kenya |
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| Authors: | Teshome Kumela Josephine Simiyu Birhanu Sisay Paddy Likhayo Esayas Mendesil Linnet Gohole |
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| Institution: | 1. International Center of Insect Physiology &2. Ecology (icipe), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;3. Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya;4. Department of Seed, Crop &5. Horticultural Sciences, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya |
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| 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. |
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| Keywords: | Damage East Africa farmers’ perceptions maize pest control |
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