Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding the Use of Agroecological-Based Pest Management Practices in Crucifers and Traditional African Vegetable (TAV) Production in Kenya and Tanzania

Essy C. Kirui, Michael M. Kidoido (), Daniel M. Mutyambai, Dickson O. Okello and Komivi S. Akutse
Additional contact information
Essy C. Kirui: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Michael M. Kidoido: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Daniel M. Mutyambai: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya
Dickson O. Okello: Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, Egerton University, Njoro P.O. Box 536-20115, Kenya
Komivi S. Akutse: International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Nairobi P.O. Box 30772-00100, Kenya

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Crucifers and traditional African vegetables (TAVs) are important to smallholders in Kenya and Tanzania, but yield remains below potential due to pests and diseases. Agroecological production methods present a nature-based solution to pest and disease management in crucifer and TAV production. We explore the status of farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding agroecological-based production pest management practices. Structured and pretested questionnaires were used to collect data from 1071 vegetable farming households in Kenya and Tanzania. Using descriptive statistics, parametric, and non-parametric analysis, our study revealed that less than 20% of farmers had received training on agroecological-based practices and less than 25% were aware of most of these practices. Among those who were aware of the practices and could confirm their effectiveness less than 12% had adopted them, except for crop rotation and handpicking of pests. This study attributes the low adoption to farmers’ negative attitudes towards the practices. Nonetheless, the study further revealed that training significantly and positively influences the adoption of the practices. Therefore, we recommend that governments and other stakeholders promote targeted awareness campaigns and increase access to training on vegetable production using sustainable pest and disease management practices.

Keywords: agroecological pest management; cruciferous vegetables; traditional African vegetables; sustainable agriculture; environmentally friendly agriculture systems; biodiversity conservation; Kenya; Tanzania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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