Farmers' perceptions of sugarcane stem borers and farm management practices in the Amhara region of Ethiopia

作者：Assefa Yoseph; van den Berg J^*; Conlong D E

来源：International Journal of Pest Management, 2008, 54(3): 219-226.

DOI：10.1080/09670870801968880

• stem borers
• sugarcane
• small-scale farmers
• perceptions
• Ethiopia

Surveys were conducted in the Amhara region of Ethiopia in order to gain insights into farm management practices, farmers' perceptions of sugarcane stem borers and the relative importance together with the effect of stem borers in farmers' livelihood systems. Surveys of 94 farmers revealed a wide range of variation, among heads, in households' age, educational background and understanding of stem borer problems on sugarcane farms. Fifty-six percent of the respondents identified stem borers as one of the most important production constraints. Farmers are aware of the effect of stem borers on the quantity of sugarcane produced; however, their knowledge of the effect of borers on sugarcane quality is very poor. Farmers generally relied on natural control for stem borers and only few (15%) of the interviewed farmers use cultural practices for the control of stem borers. The importance of information on farmers' perceptions and the need for agricultural extension services to develop control strategies that meet farmer aspirations is discussed and priority areas for future research are identified.

• 出版日期2008
• 单位西北大学