Approaches to disease management in organic crop production systems: a case of cassava mosaic disease and black pod disease of cocoa

Abstract

Organic agriculture in Africa has grown in the past years, to a point where it has become visible and measurable. However, West Africa lags behind other African regions in organic agriculture. Effective management of plant diseases is very important for profitable organic crop production. Economic losses incurred from the devastation of cocoa by the black pod disease of cocoa from different producing regions worldwide are quite enormous and crop losses estimated at 44% have been reported. Similarly, cassava mosaic disease epidemics are frequent in subsistence agriculture with crop losses throughout sub-Saharan Africa between 19 and 27 metric tonnes and an estimated economic loss of over US$1.5 billion per year. We review available options for management of black pod disease of cocoa, on an economic security crop, and cassava mosaic disease affecting cassava, a food security crop under organic production system. Additionally, we further encourage organic production of cocoa and cassava in West Africa, and recommend an integrated pest and disease management approach which will involve a systematic combination of the management methods that are feasible for smallholder farmers to practice. Future research needs are also identified.