Browsing by Author "Andrew Kalyebi"

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Farmer perception of impacts of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) and transferability of its management practices in Uganda
(CABI Agriculture and Bioscience, 2023-04-18) Andrew Kalyebi; Michael H. Otim; Tom Walsh; Wee Tek Tay
Background The Fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is now established across the African continent and is a highly polyphagous and destructive pest of many crops. In Uganda, FAW has become the major maize pest, causing heavy damage especially on shoots and growing points. The objectives of this study were to: (i) document local farming practices that have been useful to manage FAW, (ii) establish farmers’ perspective on the time of FAW’s arrival to their localities, (iii) investigate the economic impact (yield) of FAW to maize farmers, (iv) establish the farmers’ perception on the current status of the FAW, and (v) document alternative practices used to manage the FAW and the perceived efficacies. Methods A questionnaire survey was undertaken in November 2020 in Kamuli and Namutumba districts of Uganda and 99 farmers were interviewed to understand their profiles and perceptions about the FAW. A descriptive analysis of this data was undertaken to establish the socio-economic profiles and perceptions of the farmers. Results Farmers’ education levels in the two districts ranged from basic (completed primary education) to advanced (completed University degree), with most farmers having 10–30 years experience in growing maize (F = 20.8; df = 3,7; P = 0.0067), and with mainly small- and mid-sized production scales (F = 436.2; df = 2,5; P = 0.0002). Famers in Kamuli (98%) and Namutumba (96%) reported 25–50% yield losses due to FAW infestation that negatively impacted their income. We found a significantly higher percentage of farmers (84% and 92% in Kamuli and Namutumba districts, respectively), could correctly identify the FAW by its appearance (P < 0.0001). While FAW was officially reported in Uganda in 2016, farmers confirmed noticing damage symptoms similar to those caused by FAW as early as 2013 and 2014 in Namutumba and Kamuli districts, respectively. 98% of the farmers in Kamuli and 96% of those in Namutumba strongly agreed that FAW infestation reduced their income, while 74% in Kamuli and 86% in Namutumba also strongly considered the FAW as a threat to maize production (P < 0.0001). The majority of farmers (64% in Kamuli, 82% in Namutumba) still considered the FAW to be a very serious challenge to maize production in their localities, six years since officially being reported in Uganda. To manage the FAW, 84% and 90% of Kamuli and Namutumba respondents respectively, predominantly use chemical control methods. Other methods used also included cultural control practices (i.e., by regular weeding and handpicking), while the use of biological extracts (pepper, tobacco, Aloe-vera, Lantana, sisal) was evident though not common. Pheromones and biological control methods to manage FAW were not reported, although a farmer in Kamuli district reportedly observed weaver birds (Ploceus spp.) predating on the FAW in maize. A small number of farmers (ca. 4%) in both districts reportedly took no intentional action against FAW. Conclusions The farmers believe they can manage FAW if they have the appropriate and efficacious chemical insecticides as they are able to correctly apply them and follow recommended procedures. The farmers advocated for an area-wide approach as one of the best alternatives to manage this invasive pest.
Impacts of cassava whitefly pests on the productivity of East and Central African smallholder farmers
(Journal of development and Agricultural Economics, 2022-09-09) Paul Mwebaze; Sarina Macfadyen; Paul De Barro; Anton Bua; Andrew Kalyebi; Fred Tairo; Donald Kachigamba; Christopher Omongo; John Colvin
A key constraint to smallholder cassava production systems in Africa is the cassava whitefly pest species. These pests are a group of several cryptic species within Bemisia tabaci that cause direct damage to cassava and vector viruses that cause disease. We employ a farm-level stochastic production frontier (SPF) model to determine the impacts of the cassava whitefly pests on the productivity and technical efficiency (TE) of smallholder cassava farmers in Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. Primary data were collected from a sample of cassava farmers using a structured survey questionnaire. A total of 1200 farmers were selected from Malawi (400), Tanzania (350) and Uganda (450), and interviewed using a multi-stage sampling technique. Cassava output was significantly correlated with land area, the quantity of cuttings used to propagate the crop, and total labor used. We found that whitefly infestations as well as several socio-economic factors significantly affected the technical inefficiency of cassava farmers. Whitefly and disease infestations contributed to higher levels of technical inefficiency of cassava farmers. The mean TE score was significantly lower (50%) for cassava farms with whitefly infestation compared to those without any infestation (80%). These findings underscore the need for policies to ensure that cassava farmers have better access to improved inputs, especially clean planting materials, and the knowledge to integrate this technology into their farming system effectively.