Challenges in pest management in agriculture: African and global perspectives

Unpublished paper

The major goals of agriculture worldwide are to produce sufficient food for the growing population, to generate incomes for farmers and to boost the Gross Domestic Product through the agricultural industry. With the increasing urbanisation there is a corresponding increased demand for food by the urban population, which is itself not directly involved in crop production. Africa has a relatively large rural population, consisting mainly of small-holder farmers whose contribution to the economies of individual countries is highly significant. However one of the major constraints in crop production in Africa is the damage caused by diseases and pests, particularly arthropods, vertebrates, and weeds. In all world economies, wherever new innovations and high technological inputs have boosted agricultural production, pest problems have increased or have become more severe. World wide these pests account for losses of about 36% of the potential yield, and in storage, another 14% of the potential yield is lost (FAO 1973). Africa has experienced many changes in agriculture in the last 5 decades, through improvement in farming systems, pest and disease management and increased yield of both staple and cash crops. Research aimed at producing crop varieties that are high yielding, and with other desirable characteristics like drought and pest tolerance has become intensified in the last 3 decades. However, these developments have not always reached the small-holder farmers or have been inadequate. Pests, particularly arthropods and vertebrates continue to ravage the crops and without proper crop protection systems, farmers shall lose all or a large proportion of their crops. These pests are controlled mainly with pesticides when these are available. However, serious problems often arise from their indiscriminate use, particularly through the disruption of the natural ecosystem and pollution. These consequences are unacceptable and call for the need to develop pest management strategies, which are appropriate, hence sustainable, and cost effective in maintaining the pest population below the economic thresholds, while at the same time conserving the environment. The purpose of the chapter is to focus on pest management strategies and the challenges before us, particularly on feasible research and technologies that can be used to reduce the damage and losses caused by pests.