Abstract
Exotic mango varieties can improve the livelihood security and increase profitability of mango growers in Uganda. There are however, several factors like pests, diseases and orchard management practices which limit mango production and productivity. The study sought to investigate farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of mango pests and diseases and orchard management practices in West Nile zone (WNZ) of Uganda. Farmers growing exotic mango varieties were selected from six districts namely, Arua, Maracha, Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo and Nebbi in WNZ. Both purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to identify 90 respondents who were interviewed with a semi structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed both descriptively and inferentially. Chi square tests were used to analyze farmers’ perception on pests and diseases. Multinomial logit was used to analyze factors influencing choice of orchard management practices. The results showed a significant variation in perception of farmers on incidence, severity and yield loss due to various pests (fruit flies, seed borer, termites, scales and mealy bugs) and, diseases (anthracnose, bacterial black spot, powdery mildew, algal leaf spot and sooty mould). Farmers’ choice to take a particular management practice like pruning, spraying, manuring and mulching were influenced by age of mangoes, extension service, education level and sex. It was concluded that many pests and diseases of exotic mangoes existed in WNZ and sound scientific orchard management practices were still lacking among the mango farmers. The study recommended awareness creation on various mango pests and diseases, and capacity enhancement of farmers and extension staff on scientific orchard management practices.
Highlights
The Mango, Mangifera indica L, which belongs to the family of Anacardiaceae, is one of the most important tropical and subtropical fruits of the world and is popular both in fresh and processed forms [1]
The major mango pests and diseases reported by farmers in the
West Nile zone have been described as major problems in Vietnam [13] and Papua New Guinea [16]
Summary
The Mango, Mangifera indica L, which belongs to the family of Anacardiaceae, is one of the most important tropical and subtropical fruits of the world and is popular both in fresh and processed forms [1]. It is called as the king of fruits on account of its nutritive value, taste, attractive fragrance and health promoting qualities. In Uganda, mangoes are by far the most common fruit country-wide [2] They are ‘volunteer’ fruits growing in all parts of the country by gift of nature and adapt to all ecological zones of the country, dry or humid, montane and lake shoreline. The exotic varieties are of superior qualities; they have higher juice yields, good flavor and no strings; and are more appealing to both the local and the international market [3]
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