African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6839

Article in Press

FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION, AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES OF FALL ARMYWORM IN THE SAVANNA ECOLOGY OF GHANA

Ibrahim Yussif, Badii K. Benjamin, Askia Musah Mohammed and Jalilatu Ayuba

  •  Received: 26 October 2023
  •  Accepted: 30 April 2024
The larvae of Fall Armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), can cause economic losses to maize and other crops if not well managed. Studies with different research interests have been conducted on FAW in Ghana. Despite these studies, there is little knowledge about farmers' understanding of the disease and its management techniques. This study identified the essential elements related to farmers' knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors about FAW pests and their control. A total of 200 farmers from 5 regions in 15 districts were interviewed in various local languages. Farmers should be encouraged to adopt other recommended management options other than the application of chemicals with potential environmental and health risks. It is important to also train farmers to acquire basic expertise on FAW pests and their management through farmers’ field schools. As farmers adopt multiple efforts to minimize FAW infestation in an IPM fashion, there is a need to improve upon these practices to enhance their effectiveness in the overall fruit fly suppression programme.