A baseline study using Plantwise information to assess the contribution of extension services to the uptake of augmentative biological control in selected low- to lower- middle- income countries

Abstract

The uptake of augmentative biological control agents (BCAs) is still limited, particularly in many low- to lower- middle- income countries. This study focuses on factors that affect the uptake of BCAs for arthropod pests by national extension partners (NEPs) in Plantwise—an agricultural development programme facilitating the establishment of plant clinics where farmers can obtain diagnosis and plant health advice. Using data generated by NEPs, BCA recommendations in extension material and given by extension workers in Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, India, Nepal and Pakistan were analysed. The rate of BCA recommendation ranged from 13.0 (Zambia) to 61.1% (India) in extension materials and from 0.0 (Zambia) to 18.2% (India) in recommendations given by extension workers. Knowledge, availability and price were identified as the main factors affecting the uptake of BCAs by NEPs. This baseline study gives novel insight into the potential of NEPs to facilitate the use of BCAs.