Sweet potatoes are extremely adaptable to adverse environmental conditions; they can help increase food security in times of drought and famine. In recent times sweet potato production has been on the decline due to many factors regarding pest and disease management. Th More
Sweet potatoes are extremely adaptable to adverse environmental conditions; they can help increase food security in times of drought and famine. In recent times sweet potato production has been on the decline due to many factors regarding pest and disease management. The objectives were to: (i) describe the socio-economic characteristics of the sweet potato farmers; (ii) identify the common field/storage pest and disease of sweet potato in the study area; (iii) investigate the indigenous measures of controlling field/storage pests and diseases used by the sweet potato farmers; (iv) ascertain the benefits of using indigenous method of controlling pest and disease; (v) identify the challenges to the indigenous method of controlling pest and disease. One hundred and twenty-two sweet potato farmers were randomly selected from two local government areas. The study shows that majority (89.3%) of the sweet potato farmers in the study area were male and very high percentage (80.4%) of the respondents was married. The major field and storage pests are armyworm, grasshopper, rabbit, and rat. Black rot, leaf spot and bacterial wilt are the major field and storage diseases of sweet potato. The major challenges faced by the sweet potato farmers were unavailability of natural herbs. The study concluded that the use of indigenous measures to control sweet potato pest and diseases are very effective and beneficial. Therefore, the study recommends that Extension agent should work with the farmers on how the natural herbs will be available and preserved within the study area.
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The reductions in quality and quantity of marketable mango fruits due to fruit fly infestation have impact on farmers through revenue losses. The study identified the common fruit flies on mango plantation; assessed the control measures of fruit flies infestation; among More
The reductions in quality and quantity of marketable mango fruits due to fruit fly infestation have impact on farmers through revenue losses. The study identified the common fruit flies on mango plantation; assessed the control measures of fruit flies infestation; among others. Interviewers administered questionnaire was used to elicit information from 200 mango farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The results revealed that majority of the respondents were males (55.5%), had non-formal education (47.5%), with mean age of 60 years, mean household size of 4 members and years of farming experience was 20 years. The study further revealed that marula fruit fly (92.5%) was ranked first. Hand picking (94.0%) was identified as the most prominent control measure. The respondents perceived fruit flies as causing premature dropping of fruits (62.0%) as the major effect of fruit flies on mango. The result further revealed that at p<0.05, age (r=0.267), household size (r=-0.297) and years of experience (r=-0.158) were significant to farmers’ perception on the effect of fruit flies infestation. The study concluded that fruit flies infestation affect mango farmers in several ways. The study therefore recommended that extension training in orchard management should be organized for the mango farmers.
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