Abstract
Banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is a primary constraint to smallholder banana production in East and Central Africa. Experiential learning through farmer field schools (FFS) can accelerate the diffusion of integrated pest management (IPM) technologies at community level, consequently rendering production systems more productive, profitable, and sustainable. This paper explores the importance of FFS in successful transfer of the four-pronged ABCC strategy (that is, Avoid disease introduction, Break male buds, Cut down diseased plants, and Clean tools) for effective BXW control in Siaya County in Kenya. About 83% FFS-participants had advanced capacity for BXW diagnosis and control it with the ABCC practices. FFS also contributed to the spillover of ABCC practices to non-participating households in the community. In a paradox, 7.2% FFS-participants disadopted various practices compared to 4.7% non-participants. A few households (21%) deployed the ABCC package in its entirety, whereas majority (79%) dismantled the package, and recreated more user-friendly options. Most widely used reconstituted packages were ABC (Avoid, Break male buds, and Clean tools) (69%), and BC (Break male bud and Clean tools) (74%). An explanation being that adoption decisions are sequential and ultimate choice to adopt being reached after realization of true benefits and costs of the technology. Farmers dismantled the ABCC package after discovering a lack-of-fit within the smallholder’s context, defined by several farm level constraints. Dismantling the ABCC package allows farmers to create user-friendly practices, but also diminishes the prior anticipated impacts, which results in resurgence. Fine-tuning of these alternatives is necessary to ensure sustainable BXW management. Key words: ABCC practices, banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW), farmer field school (FFS), Kenya, Siaya.
Highlights
Banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is a primary constraint to smallholder banana production in the Great
The choice of the participants was based on household head membership of farmer field schools (FFS) that aims at mitigating livelihood risks associated with BXW
CDAP, Cut-down all infected plants; cutting diseased plants and burying (CDBG), cut-down all infected plants and bury in the ground; CHGL, cut-down and chop infected plants into pieces and heap on ground; CLGN, cut-down all infected plants leave on ground not heaped; RMFS, removal of male buds with forked stick; SJIK, sterilization of tools with sodium hypochlorite; SFIR, sterilization of tools with fire; UCPM, use of clean planting materials; DAID, destruction and uprooting entire mat
Summary
Banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is a primary constraint to smallholder banana production in the GreatLakes region of East and Central Africa (Tripathi et al, 2009). Banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. Musacearum is a primary constraint to smallholder banana production in the Great. Lakes region of East and Central Africa (Tripathi et al, 2009). Economic losses of up to 100% mainly arise from plant death, premature ripening and rotting of marketable. Ext. Rural Dev. banana fruits (Tushemereirwe et al, 2003; Smith et al, 2008). BXW is highly transmissible and spreads very fast through vectors, infected planting materials, and cutting tools(Thwaiteset al.,2000; Buregyeyaet al., 2008; Shehabu et al, 2010). There is no natural source of resistance to the disease among cultivated banana cultivars(Eden-Green, 2004; Ssekiwoko et al, 2006)
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