Farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management of chili pepper anthracnose disease in Bangladesh

Abstract

Plant diseases cause major crop yield losses and affect food security in lower-income countries. A limited understanding by farmers about the identity of plant diseases, transmission pathways and appropriate management methods is a key, but underexposed, problem. This study uses a sample of 260 farmers producing chili pepper in Bangladesh to elucidate their knowledge, perceptions and management methods regarding chili anthracnose—a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum species. The results show that virtually all farmers had experienced typical symptoms of anthracnose disease and farmers reported average crop yield losses of 4%. Yet, only 22% of the farmers knew that this was a fungal disease and only 25% could tell how the disease spreads in the field. Farmers solely relied on chemical pesticides to control anthracnose, while the use of biopesticides, soil covers and crop rotations was negligible and only 7% of the farmers used labelled seed. A sound understanding of farmers of the crop diseases they face, their transmission pathways, and appropriate management methods is essential for establishing effective pest control. These results clearly show much room for improving chili productivity and the income and health of farmers, by building their capacity to deal with anthracnose disease.