TY - JOUR
T1 - Farmers' knowledge and perception of cotton pests and pest control practices in Benin: results of a diagnostic study
AU - Sinzogan, A.A.C.
AU - van Huis, A.
AU - Kossou, D.K.
AU - Jiggins, J.L.S.
AU - Vodouhè, S.
N1 - 2630
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Cotton production constraints in Benin as perceived by farmers were studied from May to July 2003. The knowledge, perceptions and practices of farmers growing cotton under different pest management regimes were analysed. The methods used were open and semi-structured interviews with groups and individuals, as well as participatory exercises (brainstorming, prioritization, and problem analysis). Pest damage, low price of produce, late payment for seed cotton, and increasing input costs were the main production constraints perceived by producers. Regardless of the pest management system practised, most of the farmers adapt the recommendations of the research institute and nongovernment organizations to their livelihood systems. In general, farmers had a poor understanding of the key concepts underlying alternative pest control systems. Pest damage was considered important and farmers were eager to share their knowledge, perceptions and practices in pest management. The study provides the foundation for the creation of a learning platform; actors will be invited to collaborate in participatory experimental agricultural technology development linked to the farmers’ needs. In order to develop sustainable pest management strategies further interactive research is proposed, involving all stakeholders.
AB - Cotton production constraints in Benin as perceived by farmers were studied from May to July 2003. The knowledge, perceptions and practices of farmers growing cotton under different pest management regimes were analysed. The methods used were open and semi-structured interviews with groups and individuals, as well as participatory exercises (brainstorming, prioritization, and problem analysis). Pest damage, low price of produce, late payment for seed cotton, and increasing input costs were the main production constraints perceived by producers. Regardless of the pest management system practised, most of the farmers adapt the recommendations of the research institute and nongovernment organizations to their livelihood systems. In general, farmers had a poor understanding of the key concepts underlying alternative pest control systems. Pest damage was considered important and farmers were eager to share their knowledge, perceptions and practices in pest management. The study provides the foundation for the creation of a learning platform; actors will be invited to collaborate in participatory experimental agricultural technology development linked to the farmers’ needs. In order to develop sustainable pest management strategies further interactive research is proposed, involving all stakeholders.
KW - Farmers' knowledge
KW - Integrated pest management
KW - Interactive research
U2 - 10.1016/S1573-5214(04)80018-6
DO - 10.1016/S1573-5214(04)80018-6
M3 - Article
SN - 1573-5214
VL - 52
SP - 285
EP - 303
JO - NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences
JF - NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences
IS - 3/4
ER -