Farmers’ knowledge of major insect pests and their occurrence in cocoa plantations in Ghana

Abstract

Farmers' knowledge of major insect pests and their occurrence in cocoa plantations in Ghana as well as common practices of farmers to control these pests were assessed. It was found that 52%, 41%, and 74% of the respondents could not recognize mirid bug (Sahlbergella singularis), stink bug (Bathycoelia thalassina), and coreid bug (Pseudotheraptus devastans), respectively, when they saw these insects in pictures. Also, over 50% of the respondents could not describe the damage symptoms of mirid bugs. Farmers who accurately identified insect pests mostly observed a peak in the presence and damage of mirid bugs in August, and high presence of stink bugs and coreid bugs from April to June on cocoa farms. Most respondents (72%) mentioned the use of insecticides for pest management in their farms without any support by local institutes. Training is needed to enhance farmers' knowledge of the biology and behaviour of key pests in cocoa for effective pest management. A participatory research approach is also necessary to increase farmers' competence in the identification of those key pests and improve pest control practices. Consideration of these observations from farmers is necessary to support a review of the insecticide spray recommendation on cocoa farms in Ghana.