Farmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya
Abstract Background Finger millet blast disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a serious constrain of finger millet production which is threatening global food security especially to the resource poor smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. The disease adversely affects finger millet p...
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CABI
2021-03-01
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| Series: | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00033-y |
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| author | Wilton Mbinda Agnes Kavoo Fredah Maina Margaret Odeph Cecilia Mweu Naomi Nzilani Mathew Ngugi |
| author_facet | Wilton Mbinda Agnes Kavoo Fredah Maina Margaret Odeph Cecilia Mweu Naomi Nzilani Mathew Ngugi |
| author_sort | Wilton Mbinda |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Finger millet blast disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a serious constrain of finger millet production which is threatening global food security especially to the resource poor smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. The disease adversely affects finger millet production and consumption due to its wide distribution and destruction in all finger millet growing areas of southern Asia and eastern Africa. Here, we present a study that investigated the occurrence, impact, risk factors and farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of finger millet blast in Kenya. Methods We surveyed blast disease occurrence and interviewed farmers in Bungoma and Kisii Counties of Kenya during March–April 2019. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical program. Descriptive analysis was done by calculating means, percentages, frequencies, and standard errors. Comparative statistics, chi-square and t-tests, were used to evaluate differences existing among the farm characteristics and socio-demographics and the knowledge and perceptions of blast disease and its management practices. Results Our results show that blast disease is prevalent in all surveyed areas and adversely affects the productivity of the crop leading to poor yields. The disease occurrence varied from 92 to 98%, and was significantly higher in the major finger millet growing areas compared to the minor ones. Blast occurrence was associated with rainfall, altitude, planting density, intercropping and other farming practices. In all the surveyed regions, farmers had little knowledge about blast disease identification, its detection and spread. Further, the farmers’ awareness of blast disease control was inconsistent with established practices. Conclusions Our results show mitigation of finger millet blast disease should aim at improving farmers’ adoption of best practices through development of acceptable blast-resistant finger millet varieties, use of sustainable disease management practices, fostering linkages and creating new partnerships in the production-supply chain and maintaining a functional seed system. Findings from this study provide essential insights for effective decision making and management of the disease. This is fundamental to sustainable and secure food and income for finger millet growing farmers in Kenya. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-52a7aeb3ceb24246b5e0bb69e0ada9eb |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4044 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-52a7aeb3ceb24246b5e0bb69e0ada9eb2025-02-02T00:23:31ZengCABICABI Agriculture and Bioscience2662-40442021-03-012111210.1186/s43170-021-00033-yFarmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western KenyaWilton Mbinda0Agnes Kavoo1Fredah Maina2Margaret Odeph3Cecilia Mweu4Naomi Nzilani5Mathew Ngugi6Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Pwani UniversityDeparment of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologySocioeconomics and Policy Development Department, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Food Crops Research Centre-KabeteInstitute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyInstitute for Biotechnology Research, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyDeparment of Horticulture, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyDepartment of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, Kenyatta UniversityAbstract Background Finger millet blast disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a serious constrain of finger millet production which is threatening global food security especially to the resource poor smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. The disease adversely affects finger millet production and consumption due to its wide distribution and destruction in all finger millet growing areas of southern Asia and eastern Africa. Here, we present a study that investigated the occurrence, impact, risk factors and farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of finger millet blast in Kenya. Methods We surveyed blast disease occurrence and interviewed farmers in Bungoma and Kisii Counties of Kenya during March–April 2019. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical program. Descriptive analysis was done by calculating means, percentages, frequencies, and standard errors. Comparative statistics, chi-square and t-tests, were used to evaluate differences existing among the farm characteristics and socio-demographics and the knowledge and perceptions of blast disease and its management practices. Results Our results show that blast disease is prevalent in all surveyed areas and adversely affects the productivity of the crop leading to poor yields. The disease occurrence varied from 92 to 98%, and was significantly higher in the major finger millet growing areas compared to the minor ones. Blast occurrence was associated with rainfall, altitude, planting density, intercropping and other farming practices. In all the surveyed regions, farmers had little knowledge about blast disease identification, its detection and spread. Further, the farmers’ awareness of blast disease control was inconsistent with established practices. Conclusions Our results show mitigation of finger millet blast disease should aim at improving farmers’ adoption of best practices through development of acceptable blast-resistant finger millet varieties, use of sustainable disease management practices, fostering linkages and creating new partnerships in the production-supply chain and maintaining a functional seed system. Findings from this study provide essential insights for effective decision making and management of the disease. This is fundamental to sustainable and secure food and income for finger millet growing farmers in Kenya.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00033-yBlast diseasePyricularia oryzaeDisease managementFarmers’ knowledgeFinger milletFood security |
| spellingShingle | Wilton Mbinda Agnes Kavoo Fredah Maina Margaret Odeph Cecilia Mweu Naomi Nzilani Mathew Ngugi Farmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya CABI Agriculture and Bioscience Blast disease Pyricularia oryzae Disease management Farmers’ knowledge Finger millet Food security |
| title | Farmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya |
| title_full | Farmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya |
| title_fullStr | Farmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya |
| title_full_unstemmed | Farmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya |
| title_short | Farmers’ knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya |
| title_sort | farmers knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western kenya |
| topic | Blast disease Pyricularia oryzae Disease management Farmers’ knowledge Finger millet Food security |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-021-00033-y |
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