avrdc.org

N A M B A N G I A J U S T I N O K O L L E , V I C T O R A F A R I -S E F A , P R E C I L I A T A T A I J I A N G , F R A N C I S

A J E B E S O N E N G O M E , J E A N - C L A U D E B I D O G E Z A

a t :

H u m i d t r o p i c s I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e

M a r c h 3 - 6 , 2 0 1 5

I n t e r n a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f T r o p i c a l A g r i c u l t u r e ( I I T A ) ,

I b a d a n , N i g e r i a

Evaluation of Farmer’s Knowledge on Vegetable Pests & Diseases and their Management Practices in Cocoa-based Farming Systems of the Humidtropics

of Cameroon

www.avrdc.org

Outline of Presentation

Background and Scope of Study

Study Objectives

Overview of Study Area

Study Methods and Data Analysis

Results and Discussion

Summary & Conclusions

3 of x www.avrdc.org

Imbalanced diets: Lack of micronutrients

= HUNGE

= MICRONUTRIENT

DEFICIENCY Deficiency in

vitamins & minerals 2 billion

malnourished

= IMBALANCED CONSUMPTION

Excess calories ≥ 1.4 billion

overweight

= HUNGER Deficiency in calories & protein

≥ 870 million underweight

Source: FAO; IFAD; WFP, 2012

4 of x www.avrdc.org

Traditional treasures: diet diversity

Amaranth

African

eggplant

Cowpea Ethiopian kale

Spider plant Nightshade

5 of x www.avrdc.org

Background: Vegetables, a path out of poverty

Vegetables are rich in micronutrients, phytochemicals and a good source of antioxidants

Smallholders often have a comparative advantage in producing vegetables, since there are limited economies of scale

Vegetable production leads to higher (diversified) farm income per unit area and generates more jobs than other crops

Vegetable VCs help optimize farming systems both in terms of intensification & diversification

www.avrdc.org

Background Information

In spite of their nutritional importance as well as increasing demand by urban dwellers, the sector is hit with constraints hindering production in quantity and quality

Most farmers have little or no knowledge on safe and effective production/processing techniques

A common problem especially in SSA is the excessive abuse and misuse of pesticides

It is therefore common to find farmers using banned or extremely dangerous chemicals on vegetable fields.

www.avrdc.org

Study Objectives

The main objective of this study is to ascertain and document local knowledge and perceptions of vegetable stakeholders on vegetable pests and diseases, and their crop protection management practices within cocoa-based farming systems of the HT of Cameroon

www.avrdc.org

Overview of Study Sites

•Involved 3 agro-ecological zones (Zones III, IV & V) located in the humid tropics of Cameroon

• Zone III: Western Highlands (Bafoussam area)

• Zone IV: Humid Forest with mono-modal rainfall (Buea area)

• Zone V: Humid Forest with bimodal rainfall (Ebolowa area).

www.avrdc.org

Study Methods & Data Needs

9

Desktop review

Qualitative and quantitative survey methods, including key informant and focus group interviews with one-on-one structured interviews and complemented observational assessments

Descriptive statistics used to interprete data

www.avrdc.org

Results & Discussion

10

Cropping systems are highly diversified with 87.5% of respon-

dents cultivating vegetables under mixed cropping systems, 85%

of whom are women. Climate uncertainty & seasonality of some crops compel

cocoa farmers to diversify crops, food sources and income. Vegetables such as tomato, cabbage, green pepper and

watermelon are the primary crops in Baffousam, whereas traditional vegetables such as African nightshade and amaranth dominate in Buea and Ebolowa.

Of the 15 vegetables cultivated at all 3 study sites, more than 60% were TAVs

Insect infestation and fungal infection were found to be the most critical biotic constraints

www.avrdc.org

Results & Discussion

Crop Loss Estimates due to Incidence of Pest & Dieseases

www.avrdc.org

Crop Protection Practices

12

Varied by vegetable type but mostly used pesticides, especially on huckleberry, tomato, pepper and amaranth.

The highest incidence of pesticide application was in Baffousam area, with >60% of respondents confirming its use

Despite awareness of the harmful effects of excessive pesticide application, a majority of respondents, particularly in Buea, applied more than the recommended levels.

More females than males applied higher than recommended pesticide doses, used banned pesticides, harvested vegetables only 2-3 days after spraying, and applied pesticides not registered for use on vegetables.

>60% of respondents did not store pesticides in safe places

avrdc.org

www.avrdc.org

Results & Discussion

14

Pesticide Misuse:

Drinking water in pesticide containers

Pesticides in wrong containers Spraying of insecticides prior to immediate harvest

www.avrdc.org

Results & Discussion

15

No significantly disparities between males and females

Skin irritations (27.4%) common in Beua area

Skin irritations + watery eyes (20.8%) common in Bafoussam area.

Case of pesticide causing blindness reported in Buea area

Generally, few cases of dizziness, vomiting, stomach disorder and headache reported from post-application effects of pesticides.

www.avrdc.org

Summary & Conclusions

16

There are laws to cater for the environment and control of dangerous chemicals including pesticides.

Laws are based on certain international conventions e.g. the Stockholm, Rotterdam, Bamako, and IPPC) but are hardly enforced particularly on banned and inappropriate agrochemical usage

High incidence of pesticide misuse in some vegetables (e.g. amaranth, Huckleberry, tomatoes, cabbage)

Most farmers have not been trained on effective use of agrochemicals on vegetables (especially TAVs)

Very little awareness creation and sensitization on the dangers of pesticide misuse. Spillover effects on staple and tree crop production based agrochemicals on vegetables

In adequate efforts to effectively enforce laws/regulations concerning pesticides and/or dangerous chemicals.

www.avrdc.org

Thank you for

your attention

18 of x www.avrdc.org

Micronutrient content of common and indigenous vegetables

Ranges Tomato Cabbage Moringa Amaranth Aibika Sweet potato

leaf

b-Carotene,mg 0.0 - 22 0.40 0.00 15.28 9.23 5.11 6.82

Vit C, mg 1.1 - 353 19 22 459 113 82 81

Vit E, mg 0.0 - 71 1.16 0.05 25.25 3.44 4.51 4.69

Iron, mg 0.2 – 26 0.54 0.30 10.09 5.54 1.40 1.88

Folates, mg 2.8 – 175 5 ND 93 78 177 39

Antioxidant activity, TE

0.6 - 82,000 323 496 2858 394 560 870

Source: AVRDC Nutrition Lab

Traditional vegetables: Rich in nutrients