Abstract
Rice is a new crop in Uganda, but has quickly grown in importance. Between 2000 and 2010, total area under rice cultivation in the country grew by 94% from 140,000 ha. Changes in the agro ecosystem due to expansion in rice area may have altered the pest status of rice insect pests. However, far too little attention has been paid to assessing the prevalence and importance of rice insect-pests in Uganda. In this study, we interviewed 240 lowland-rice farming households from eight districts within the north, east and central regions of Uganda about their perceived insect-pest problems and control measures employed, if any. A semi-structured questionnaire was used. The farmers ranked rice insect pests as the most important biotic constraint in rice production, with stem borers and the African rice gall midge (AfRGM) perceived to be the 1st and 2nd most detrimental insect pests, respectively. In spite of this, only 36% of the respondents could positively identify symptoms of AfRGM damage on rice plants, while 64% were familiar with stem borer damage. Over 60% of interviewed farmers expressed confidence in the effectiveness of insecticides for controlling rice insect pests. Cultural control measures were not popular among the farmers.
Highlights
Rice is a relatively new crop in Uganda, but has quickly grown in importance
When the farmers were asked whether they observe any of the rice insects on weeds/vegetation growing in and around their rice farms, 34 reported the presence of weeds, which are alternative as alternative hosts to rice insect pests included elephant or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), sedges (Cyperus spp.), black-jack (Bidens pilosa), wandering Jew (Commelina benghalensis) and star grass (Cynodon dactylon)
They found the average area affected as alternative hosts to rice insect pests included elephant or Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), by insect pests ranging from a low 11% in Guinea and a high 49% in Kenya
Summary
Rice is a relatively new crop in Uganda, but has quickly grown in importance. The importance of rice in Uganda is highlighted in the national rice development strategy (NRDS), which seeks to make the country self-sufficient in rice by doubling production from 177,800 Mt in 2008 to 680,000 Mt by 2018 [1]. Projections in the NRDS indicate that doubling rice production will respond to the increasing demand of Ugandans for rice. Per capita annual consumption of rice in Uganda went up from 3 kg in 1990 to 8 kg in 2010, representing a 62.5% rise. Total area under rice cultivation in Uganda increased by over 70% from 39,000 ha in 1990 to 140,000 ha in 2010 [2]. The rapid increase in the area under rice cultivation is largely attributed to the introduction of upland
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