Farmers’ Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices in Managing Weeds and Insect Pests of Common Bean in Northern Tanzania

Hudson C Laizer,Patrick A Ndakidemi,Musa N Chacha

doi:10.3390/su11154076

Hudson C Laizer, Patrick A Ndakidemi + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su11154076

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Abstract

Weeds and insect pests are among the serious constraints in common bean production in most rural communities. A survey of 169 smallholder farmers was conducted in two common bean-growing districts in northern Tanzania. The aim was to assess farmers’ knowledge, perceptions, current management practices and challenges in order to develop sustainable weed and insect pest management strategies. The results revealed that 83% of farmers perceived insect pests as the major constraint in common bean production, while 73% reported weeds as the main drawback. Insect pest management was mainly achieved through the use of synthetic pesticides, however, only 24% of farmers were able to apply, the rest could not afford due to high cost, limited access and lack of knowledge. Only 6.5% of farmers were aware of non-chemical methods and 2.1% did not practice any method in managing insect pests, both in the field and during storage. Moreover, farmers generally relied on experience in managing insect pests and weeds, and about 43% did not see the need to consult extension officers. These findings indicate that there is a need to sensitize and train farmers on the sustainable methods for pest and weed management in common bean farming systems in northern Tanzania.

Highlights

Grain legumes are very important crops in rural livelihoods in East Africa, with common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., being the most essential and major source of protein for most smallholder farmers [1,2]
The insect pests were alleged to cause an average to major loss on yields, with the responses varying among the pest groups
The current study has confirmed that insect pests and weeds are perceived by common bean farmTerhseincunrroerntht esrtnudTyanhzaasncioanafsirtmheedmtahjaotrisnestebcatcpkeisntsthanedeffweecetidvseaprreopdeurccteioivnedofbcyrocposm. mSyonntbheeatinc fpaersmtiecirdseisnwneorrethreeprnorTteadnzaasnthiae amsatihnemmetahjoordsfeotrbiancskecitnptehset ceoffnetcrtoilv.eHporwodevuecrt,iomnoostf fcarrompesr.sSwynertheentoict pabesletitcoidaepspwlyertheermepdourteedtoarsetahseonmsasiuncmh eatshaocdcefsosribinilsietyctapnedstacffoonrdtraobli.lHityo.wTehveerre,emxiosstts faarkmnoewrslewdegree gnaopt ainbltehetoaarepapolyf itnhteemgrdatueedtwo ereeadsaonnds spuecsht masanacacgeesmsibeniltitaymaonndgamffoorsdtafbarilmitye.rsTihnetrheeesxuisrtvseayekdnodwislterdicgtes. gap in the area of integrated weed and pest management among most farmers in the surveyed districts

Summary

Introduction

Grain legumes are very important crops in rural livelihoods in East Africa, with common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L., being the most essential and major source of protein for most smallholder farmers [1,2]. Northern Tanzania, the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions, represent one of the key and most suitable areas for common bean production. This can be attributed to their favorable agro-climatic conditions [1]. Despite the favorable climatic conditions for common bean production and easy access to international markets, yields in the two regions are generally low ranging, from 500 to 700 kg/ha [7,8]. This is contrary to potential yields under favorable conditions, which range from 1500 to 3000 kg/ha [11].

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