Farmers’ Perception of Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) as an Invasive Pest and Its Management

TL;DR

This study explores how farmers in Punjab, Pakistan perceive and manage the fall armyworm pest in maize crops, highlighting gaps in awareness and the need for better education.

Contribution

The study provides insights into farmers' perceptions and management practices of fall armyworm in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for targeted awareness programs.

Findings

Most farmers recognized larvae as the most damaging stage of fall armyworm but had limited awareness of its biology.

Only 39% of farmers could correctly identify fall armyworm, and 34% recognized autumn as the peak infestation period.

Despite limited awareness, 86% of farmers used chemical treatments to manage fall armyworm effectively.

Abstract

This study investigated farmers’ perceptions and management of fall armyworm (FAW) pest in maize crop across nine districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The results showed that farmers generally had medium-sized farms, with experience of growing maize over ten years. The majority of the farmers grow maize as fodder, as well as a cash crop, availing both spring and autumn seasons. A few famers have better ability to identify FAW and consider autumn the peak infestation period of FAW. Despite limited awareness, most of the farmers recognized larvae as the most damaging stage and managed FAW using chemical treatments. The current study highlighted the need for better awareness of farmers regarding biology of FAW and also the understanding regarding its effective management strategies.

This study was carried out with the aim of understanding how farmers perceive and deal with fall armyworm (FAW) infestations in maize crops. Data based on a questionnaire were collected across nine districts of the Punjab province in Pakistan. Findings revealed that about 38% of farmers had medium-sized landholdings and had been cultivating maize crop for the last 11–20 years. Hybrid maize seed was used by 55% of the farmers, and 60% of the maize grown was used as fodder, as well as a cash crop. Surprisingly, only 39% of farmers were able to correctly identify FAW; however, the majority (72%) recognized the larvae as the most damaging stage. Although most of the farmers (71%) grew maize crops during both seasons, only 34% of the farmers recognized autumn as the peak infestation period of FAW. However, despite limited awareness, a high percentage (86%) of farmers managed FAW effectively using various chemical treatments. This study also highlighted the influence of some factors on farmers’ perception of FAW such as: age, farming experience, and maize cultivation practices. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of the basic biology and targeted management strategies for FAW to safeguard maize crops in the region.

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