Abstract
It is estimated that more than 50% of the crop loss is due to pest infestation. Assessment of farmers’ knowledge on Integrated Pest Management and pesticides use to manage threat pests, their safe use in cucurbit production was carried out using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results showed that cucurbit growers were categorized as youth 5% (20-30 years, 31-40 middle age and 41-50 years were considered as old age growers. More than 90% of the growers use pesticides from Agro Input suppliers for managing different pests. Respondents identified aphids as a major pest represent 40% followed by leaf feeding pest 20%, fruit flies represent 15% and the least was weeds 10%. 95% of the interviewed growers were aware on negative side effect from pesticide use both to human and environment. Less than 40% of the respondents use protective gears during pesticide application. About 30% of the growers attended short course training on IPM through Farmer Field Schools. Despite of training on IPM none of them new insect identification, monitoring, biological control agents and other pollinators apart from bees. This study showed there is a need to train vegetable growers on importance of insect monitoring, biological control agent in cucurbit production.
Highlights
IntroductionVegetables and fruits production in the country is increasing though increasing of insect pressure and climate change can cause more than 50% crop loss
Poor extension services justify need for farmers training on use of Integrated pest management (IPM) as a sustainable control strategies for managing different pest species in cucurbit production
Majority of the cucurbit growers were aware on side effects resulted from excessive pesticide use still they are relying on the similar method due to lack of knowledge (Asgarinya, 2010)
Summary
Vegetables and fruits production in the country is increasing though increasing of insect pressure and climate change can cause more than 50% crop loss. Integrated pest management (IPM) is an environmental friendly approach for managing threat pests in cucurbits as it combines different practices for managing threat pests in cucurbits and in other fruits and vegetable crops (Dhawan et al, 2010; Kabir and Rainis, 2012). Sustainable control measures of threat pests need information on life cycle, type of damage and stage of damage is very important. Despite of farmers training through farmer Field Schools but still they are not aware on wide range application of IPM technologies. Poor extension services justify need for farmers training on use of IPM as a sustainable control strategies for managing different pest species in cucurbit production
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