PLANT PROTECTION
EWA-BELT is investigating the introduction of innovative and appropriate plant protection technologies in the IPDM for key crops and the identification of a set of indicators to be used in the assessment of the SI approach impacts taking into account environmental health and, synergically, economic and social aspects.
Pre-harvest
In order to identify and enhance a range of best practices used by farmers on Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) and to allow comparisons and connections among different African countries, as a first step a farmer survey was conducted in the project study areas.
Country​ Partner who carried out the survey
Burkina Faso
Ethipoia
Ghana
Kenya
Tanzania
Sierra Leone
*Italy
*United Kingdom
ACRA
HU
KDC, CSIR-SARI
KARLO, UoN
NM-AIST
UNIMAK
UNISS, OCCAM
CRAN
*no surveys were conducted to these partners that rather managed the coordination of the activity.
In addition, the task also foresees the validation of the collected indigenous knowledge practices related to crop protection for selected crops in greenhouse or directly on field research stations (within the FFRUs). To this end the following research activities and tests were conducted:
Country​ Partner Research Activities
Burkina Faso
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Ethipoia
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Ghana
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Tanzania
INERA
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HU
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KDC
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CSIR-SARI
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TARI
Research activities were carried out to assess the effect of pesticidal plant extracts and biological control of insects in cotton farming systems. The experiment was carried out with FFRUs’ farmers (6 farmers per site) in three sites Bondoukuy, Kari, and Bokuy. It consisted of testing the efficacy of Cassia nigricans extract in the control of cotton pests in farmers’ field conditions.
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1. Biological control of pepper wilt
2. Survey of Enset bacterial wilt (EBW) in South Ethiopia and aggressiveness of isolates of the causal agent (Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum).
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Research activities through on-farm testing of two indigenous plant extracts in the control of field insect pests on cowpea were carried out. Goals: (1) to reduce the hazards of using synthetic pesticides on cowpea without adhering to the basic safety procedures, and the over-dependence on synthetic pesticides, which is also expensive; (2) to assess the best bio-pesticides for control of pests on cowpea which will automatically reduce cost of production and reduce associated hazards.
1. Field trial to demonstrate the efficacy of intercropping systems for fall armyworm (FAW) management in northern Ghana.
2. Demonstration on the field efficacy of neem extracts for fall armyworm (FAW) management in maize.
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Field evaluation of the effectiveness of a homemade bio-pesticide and synthetic pesticide against various pests of Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet and common bean grown by smallholder farmers in Northern Tanzania.
Post-harvest
The task foresees research activities related to the safe storage of harvested staple cereals, legumes, and groundnuts to avoid spoilage or pest damage. In order to study sustainable solutions for post-harvest management, experiments were conducted during the reporting period by Partners.
Country​ Partner Research Activities
United Kigdom
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Burkina Faso
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Ghana
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Kenya
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Tanzania
CRAN
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INERA
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CSIR-SARI
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KDC
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KARLO
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UoN
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NM-AIST
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TARI
Experiments with immobilized food-grade preservatives with a slow release of Sulphur dioxide at a laboratory scale.
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Evaluation of essential oil biopesticides efficacy in the control of insects in stored cereals and leguminous food products.
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1. Assessment of the effects of crop management practices on yield and aflatoxins incidence of maize.
2. Assessment of the effects of crop management practices on yield and aflatoxins incidence of groundnut.
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Aflatoxin infestation in groundnuts as influenced by different storage structures/methods in Northern Ghana.
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Use of Aflasafe KE01 for management of mycotoxins in maize, finger millet, and groundnuts in western Kenya
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Experiment on pre and post-harvest technologies-peanut. The following data were collected:
- disease incidence in peanut
- aflatoxin analysis
- yield determination
- drying, storage, and processing
Performance evaluation of solar-assisted heat pump dryer and its influence on reducing fungal load in maize and groundnut grains
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Evaluation of the effectiveness of different botanical plants to control storage pests of selected crops grown in Northern Tanzania
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