Abstract
The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) is an invasive pest of maize, as well as other important cereals and vegetables, threatening food systems and biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the outbreaks of the FAW, farmers’ perceived production constraints, and coping strategies in maize production in Zambia. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) study was conducted in two FAW-affected maize production districts in Zambia in 2017 and 2018. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, preference ranking, and focused group discussions. Crop losses due to FAW, the high cost of fertilizers, and a limited availability of arable land were the major production constraints across the districts. There were significant differences (X2 = 12.415; p = 0.002) in the severity of FAW infestation between the two districts in 2017. Notable FAW coping strategies used by the respondent farmers included cultural and landscape management practices, chemical pesticides, and crushing of FAW larvae. There was a disparity between male and female respondents who perceived social, agronomic management, and crop protection-related factors that influenced the choice of a maize variety. Information presented here will serve as a basis for FAW-resistant cultivar development and deployment of the integrated pest management methods for Zambia.
Highlights
Accepted: 20 September 2021The fall armyworm (FAW)
The number of male and female farmers who reported the presence of FAW damage in their maize fields did not differ significantly between the Chibombo and Chongwe districts (X2 = 0.002; p = 0.962) (Table 2) due to widespread field infestation by the pest
Women play significant roles in maize production, including land preparation, weeding, fertilizer application, harvesting, seed sorting and packaging [22], the men were the ones mostly interviewed as the household heads and the ultimate decision makers on the use of the household resources
Summary
The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)). Is a relatively new, polyphagous pest affecting cereal crops in Africa. The combination of FAW together with existing production constraints have threatened the stability and sustainability of food systems, livelihoods, ecosystems biodiversity, local, regional, and global trade in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) since its arrival in 2016 [1]. The FAW originated from the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, where it is a major migratory pest. The pest has a devastating impact on maize yields. In SSA, the FAW has become a resident pest owing to the favorable environmental conditions and the presence of host plants [3,4]
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