Implications of on-farm research for local knowledge related to fruit flies and the weaver ant Oecophylla longinoda in mango production |
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| Authors: | A AC Sinzogan J-F Vayssieres |
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| Institution: | 1. Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d'Abomey Calavi , Cotonou, Benin;2. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Biological Control Center for Africa , Cotonou, Benin |
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| Abstract: | We interviewed half of the mango-growers in northern Benin, including 15 farmers involved in a regional fruit fly project, and held focus group discussions with women fruit-pickers. They were asked about pest management and their knowledge of a weaver ant, Oecophylla longinoda. All considered low yields due to fruit flies to be the principal constraint upon mango production, estimating economic losses to be between 20 and 45%. None could recognize damage during the first 2 days after fruit fly egg deposition. On-farm research persuaded farmers to stop using insecticides and it also changed negative perceptions of Oecophylla. Over 80% of the farmers involved in on-farm research, compared to 25% of those not involved, reported Oecophylla to be beneficial. All fruit-pickers knew that ants protected mango from fruit flies, with 60% attributing better mango quality in terms of appearance, shelf-life and sweetness to the presence of Oecophylla. Nevertheless, 40% of the pickers still considered weaver ants a nuisance pest during harvest. Ways of reducing this nuisance need to be developed for Oecophylla to gain wider acceptance by mango-growers. |
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| Keywords: | farmer knowledge labourer fruit fly Oecophylla longinoda weaver ants conservation biological control on-farm research mango Africa |
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