IRRI

Breeding for resistance

Dr John Musanya, a research officer in crop improvement, describes the process by which new crop varieties are developed in order to be able to resist or tolerate certain pest or disease threats. In the context of global warming, this work is being intensified, taking advantage of genetic technology to speed up the breeding process.

published: January 2011

WRENmedia

Soil management for sustainable production

Lister Nyemba, assistant production manager at York Farm near Lusaka, describes how the farm has built extremely healthy and fertile soil through incorporation of crop residues after harvest. This organic matter becomes food for soil microbes which help to clean the soil of harmful bacteria. Earthworms also play an important role, aerating the soil and bringing up nutrients from deeper soil layers.

published: January 2011

Neil Palmer (CIAT)

Crop rotation for pest control

Lisa Sendwe, an agroforestry farm manager, explains why crop rotation - not planting the same crop on the same land in two successive seasons - is such a useful tool in controlling pests. Not only do pests lose their food source, but different crops in the rotation can create benefits for the crops that follow them.

published: January 2011

WRENmedia

Minimum tillage by hoe and ripper

Using planting basins or a narrow, ripped channel for planting offers several advantages, compared with hand-dug ridges or full ploughing. Crop residues are left on the soil surface as a mulch, which helps in weed control. And early planting helps crops become established ahead of weeds, giving them an advantage.

published: January 2011

FAO/Giulio Napolitano

Deep ploughing to control soil pests

Deep ploughing has been recommended as a strategy to kill insect pests that live in the top 20 cm of soil. By exposing the larvae or pupa to sunlight, and by physical crushing in the ploughing process, pest numbers can be reduced. But the method may also have adverse effects on soil health and structure, so farmers need expert advice for when to use it.

published: January 2011

Jon Sullivan/PD Photos

Farmers' friends control pests

Some insects, such as ladybirds, are very helpful to farmers, because they eat pest species. Planting a strip of flowers, such as marigold or mustard, next to vegetable plots can attract pest predators, and reduce the need to use chemicals for pest control. Planting trees as live fences and windbreaks attracts birds, which may also help the farmer by eating pest species.

published: January 2011

FAO/Olivier Asselin

Scouting for pests

Davison Mudzingwa accompanies crop scouting expert Beatrice Mwape to see how she scouts for insect pests in the field. He learns that it is important to look on the underside of leaves, where pests are generally found, and to also look in the soil for evidence of soil-based pests.

published: January 2011

Neil Palmer (CIAT)

A farmer teaches scouting skills

Cotton farmer Edison Nang'ongwe describes the method he uses to scout his crop for pests. He explains why regular scouting is so important, in order not to waste money on unnecessary spraying. But he also advises farmers to have pesticide ready, so that if a pest problem is found, they don't panic but can deal with it promptly.

published: January 2011

WRENmedia

Waging war on weeds

In central Zambia, farmers have been trained to be Spray Service Providers in their communities. This means they can source the appropriate pest control chemicals at the right price, and can be hired to spray the crop. This is allowing farmers to cultivate bigger areas, and is helping aged farmers, who can no longer do hand-weeding, to continue farming.

published: January 2011

FAO/Sarah Elliott

After spraying - protecting human health

Professional agronomist Tuesday Mboyonga explains how a farmer should clean all spray equipment after use, as well as all protective clothing. He also explains the dangers if farmers do not handle pest control chemicals correctly, or return to a field too soon after spraying.

published: January 2011