Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for Ghana
Abstract Background Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda; FAW), a native pest of the Americas, invaded West Africa about 7 years ago and spread rapidly across the rest of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and several countries in Asia and Oceania. Early cross-sectional studies reported that the pest causes s...
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| Language: | English |
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CABI
2023-10-01
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| Series: | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00181-3 |
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| author | Justice A. Tambo Monica K. Kansiime Idah Mugambi Lakpo Koku Agboyi Patrick K. Beseh Roger Day |
| author_facet | Justice A. Tambo Monica K. Kansiime Idah Mugambi Lakpo Koku Agboyi Patrick K. Beseh Roger Day |
| author_sort | Justice A. Tambo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda; FAW), a native pest of the Americas, invaded West Africa about 7 years ago and spread rapidly across the rest of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and several countries in Asia and Oceania. Early cross-sectional studies reported that the pest causes severe damage to maize, stimulating widespread use of synthetic pesticides in smallholder farming systems. Using panel data from Ghana, this paper assessed the impact of FAW on maize productivity and the changes in the strategies adopted by smallholder farmers for the management of the pest. Methods Household data collected in two rounds (2018 and 2020) from 370 smallholder maize-growing households in Ghana were used. The dynamics of FAW infestation and the management practices applied by farmers were analysed descriptively, while panel data regression methods, such as fixed effects and correlated random effects models, were used to estimate the effect of FAW on maize productivity. Results We found evidence of reduced intensity of pesticide use, increased use of protective equipment when spraying pesticides, increased adoption of biopesticides and cultural practices for FAW management, in line with recommended integrated pest management solutions. Results from panel data regression analysis showed that after controlling for other determinants of maize productivity and unobserved heterogeneity, the negative effect of FAW infestation on maize productivity is not statistically significant. Conclusions Our findings suggest that with better knowledge of FAW and the use of more sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions, the yield losses due to FAW are not as severe as initially reported. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ed744a9d393c489da713a4191530b32e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4044 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | CABI |
| record_format | Article |
| series | CABI Agriculture and Bioscience |
| spelling | doaj-art-ed744a9d393c489da713a4191530b32e2025-02-03T11:35:14ZengCABICABI Agriculture and Bioscience2662-40442023-10-014111410.1186/s43170-023-00181-3Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for GhanaJustice A. Tambo0Monica K. Kansiime1Idah Mugambi2Lakpo Koku Agboyi3Patrick K. Beseh4Roger Day5CABICABICABICABIPlant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate, Ministry of Food and AgricultureCABIAbstract Background Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda; FAW), a native pest of the Americas, invaded West Africa about 7 years ago and spread rapidly across the rest of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and several countries in Asia and Oceania. Early cross-sectional studies reported that the pest causes severe damage to maize, stimulating widespread use of synthetic pesticides in smallholder farming systems. Using panel data from Ghana, this paper assessed the impact of FAW on maize productivity and the changes in the strategies adopted by smallholder farmers for the management of the pest. Methods Household data collected in two rounds (2018 and 2020) from 370 smallholder maize-growing households in Ghana were used. The dynamics of FAW infestation and the management practices applied by farmers were analysed descriptively, while panel data regression methods, such as fixed effects and correlated random effects models, were used to estimate the effect of FAW on maize productivity. Results We found evidence of reduced intensity of pesticide use, increased use of protective equipment when spraying pesticides, increased adoption of biopesticides and cultural practices for FAW management, in line with recommended integrated pest management solutions. Results from panel data regression analysis showed that after controlling for other determinants of maize productivity and unobserved heterogeneity, the negative effect of FAW infestation on maize productivity is not statistically significant. Conclusions Our findings suggest that with better knowledge of FAW and the use of more sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions, the yield losses due to FAW are not as severe as initially reported.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00181-3Fall armywormMaizePesticidesIntegrated pest managementSmallholder farmersGhana |
| spellingShingle | Justice A. Tambo Monica K. Kansiime Idah Mugambi Lakpo Koku Agboyi Patrick K. Beseh Roger Day Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for Ghana CABI Agriculture and Bioscience Fall armyworm Maize Pesticides Integrated pest management Smallholder farmers Ghana |
| title | Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for Ghana |
| title_full | Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for Ghana |
| title_short | Economic impacts and management of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in smallholder agriculture: a panel data analysis for Ghana |
| title_sort | economic impacts and management of fall armyworm spodoptera frugiperda in smallholder agriculture a panel data analysis for ghana |
| topic | Fall armyworm Maize Pesticides Integrated pest management Smallholder farmers Ghana |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43170-023-00181-3 |
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