How Kenyan Farmers Are Transitioning to Biopesticides for Fall Armyworm Management

Researchers from CABI’s regional center for Africa organized a farmer’s field event in Machakos County, Kenya, providing comprehensive training to 582 farmers regarding the production of baculorvirus-based insecticides for managing the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), according to Krishak Jagat.

The team also conducted assessments to gauge the farmers’ proficiency in fall armyworm management through biopesticides, addressed challenges faced by small-scale farmers, and evaluated their attitudes and receptiveness toward adopting this innovative baculovirus production technology.

The farmers were trained by CABI researchers including Violet Ochieng, Research Officer specializing in ISM-Drone Technology, Stacey Odunga, Research Assistant, and Maureen Njenga, who is also a Research Assistant.

Destructive pest

Fall armyworm is a destructive pest and has caused extensive damage to crop for years. It poses a significant threat to food security and livelihoods. The pest mainly affects maize, which is the main cash crop for millions of smallholder farmers in Africa, but also threatens over 80 other plant species.

Farmers mainly rely on synthetic pesticides, which are expensive, and most of them have not been found satisfactory to eradicate this invasive pest. This inadequacy could stem from farmers’ limited purchasing capacity, leading them to opt for cheaper products, a lack of awareness about suitable options, difficulties in accessing effective products, and a rise in the resistance level of pesticides to this pest.

Also, the overuse of these chemicals could have adverse effects on food quality, the environment and food safety, necessitating a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution.

In response to these challenges, the Plant Health Initiative project, led by Dr. Ivan Rwomushana, CABI’s Senior scientist, Invasive Species Management, is actively assisting farmers in adopting safer and sustainable approaches to boost their crop yields.

This support involves comprehensive training and testing the efficacy of different pesticides, with a key focus on FAWLIGEN which is a biological insecticide based on the Spodoptera frugiperda nucleopolyhedrovirus (SfMNPV) for the specific control of the larvae of the fall armyworm.

In July of this year, CABI also established two experimental maize farms in Kitie and Itumbini villages in Machakos County for the purposes of research and training.

Read more at Krishak Jagat.

https://www.en.krishakjagat.org/