Abstract
A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of farmers about rodent pest control in two districts: Sekoru (Jimma Zone) and Gechi (Illubabor Zone) of Oromia National Regional State, southwest Ethiopia. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information and 480 randomly selected farmers (240 farmers from each district) were involved in the study. Farmers in the two districts rated rodents as very important pests followed by nematodes. A significant number of farmers reported the regular occurrence of rodent pest outbreak. Among crops grown in the two districts, farmers listed maize (Zea mays) the crop most susceptible to rodent depredation followed by barley (Hordeum vulgare) and wheat (Triticum species). Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) was the crop least susceptible to the rodent attack. Farmers in the two districts perform rodent control activities during ripening stage and after harvest and most of them use only one kind of rodent pest control method. Most farmers believe that rodent pests can be controlled and rodent pest control is important. Majority of the farmers reported that rodent pests can significantly reduce crop yield and rodent pests can be effectively controlled if farmers work together with other farmers. Most of them also believe that rodent pest should be controlled at all stages of crop growth and after harvest. Rodent pest control all growth stages of crops, use of more than one control method, cooperative work in rodent control and further ecological study on the rodent pests were recommended. Key words: Sokoru, Gechi, Southwest Ethiopia, rodent pest control, knowledge, perception.
Highlights
Amongst the world population, more than half is estimated to actively engage in agriculture and many advances have been made in agricultural technology to increase the amount and quality of the yield of different food crops
In Southwest Ethiopia, including Jimma and Illubabor zones such information is lacking despite the presence of serious rodent pest problems
409 (85.21%) of them underlined the importance of rodent pest control after harvest and 452 (94.17%) respondents agreed that farmers can increase their crop yield by carrying out rodent pest control activities (Table 4)
Summary
More than half is estimated to actively engage in agriculture and many advances have been made in agricultural technology to increase the amount and quality of the yield of different food crops. The other very important factor is the socioeconomic conditions and culture of farmers in a particular area (Sudarmaji et al, 2003; Makundi et al, 2005; Mulungu et al, 2003; Tuan et al, 2003; Sang et al, 2003) This underlines the need of collecting the necessary information about farmers’ knowledge regarding pest species, their perception about the pests and their current control practices in their locality before designing a certain pest management strategy even if the technology is available. In Southwest Ethiopia, including Jimma and Illubabor zones such information is lacking despite the presence of serious rodent pest problems To this effect, this study was conducted to collect baseline data about Knowledge, perception and control practice of farmers in the region about pest rodents. Chi-square test was used to test statistical significance among the different respondents and their responses at 0.05 level of significance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
