Pest Management among Smallholder Cabbage Growers

Abstract

Vegetable production is practiced in urban and peri-urban settings in many countries, where agricultural lands are decreasing. Farmers need to understand how to manage pests when production is in close proximity to people, especially since they have adopted intensive agricultural practices where more synthetic chemicals are used to control pests. Other issues including climate change, rapid urbanization, limited access to resources – land, training, and technology influence pest management strategies. A mixed method was used to collect data which examined how farmer interactions with other actors and technologies have influenced management of pest infestations and profits. All farmers in Tamale intensively cultivate cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and we noted differences in profitability between farmers with, and without, formal training. There was a positive association between long-term farm experience and good pest management practices. Farmers with >10 years experience growing cabbage were more mindful of pre-harvest intervals in respect to pesticide application compared to those with less-farming experience. Farmer-to-farmer transfer was the most efficient way of disseminating agricultural information and creates an opportunity for sharing information on integrated pest management. There is a need for the creation of formal farmer–farmer training and education by government extension officers, building on informal opportunities provided by farmer-to-farmer knowledge transfer on safe handling, storage, and application of pesticides in peri-urban and urban farms.