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A farm-level evaluation of the impact of IPM on pesticides use: a comparative analysis of IPM and non-IPM trained farmers in Zimbabwe's smallholder sector

By: Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextPublication details: Mexico, DF (Mexico) CIMMYT : 2003Description: p. 83ISBN:
  • 970-648-104-4
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 338.91 WAT
Summary: Most farmers in Zimbabwe are smallholders whose production systems are predominately subsistence based and in which maize accounts for over 65% of the cultivated area. In Zimbabwe, horticultural production has grown steadily, becoming an important additional source of income for smallholders, and farmers are being encouraged to diversify to the production of high value crops. Tomatoes account for about 60% of the land area allocated to horticultural crops.|Tomato production is vulnerable to pests and disease outbreaks. Currently, pest management in tomato production is characterized by a heavy dependence on chemical pesticides. These are viewed as a quick and easy solution to pest problems. In Zimbabwe and many developing countries, chemical pesticides have received much government support as a means of reducing crop losses. However, mounting evidence points up the negative effects of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. Toxic substances can accumulate in the ecosystem and have a detrimental effect on non-target organisms. Integrated pest management (IPM) promotes the use of all known (biological and cultural) environmentally benign pest control measures. Farmers are encouraged to integrate the various methods so that chemicals are used minimally and judiciously. In Zimbabwe, IPM has not been widely promoted. Given the increasing cost of agricultural inputs in Zimbabwe, there could be scope for wider adoption of IPM.|This study presents a preliminary assessment of the impact of IPM technology on farmers' pest control practices, perceptions of chemical pesticides, and knowledge of non-chemical pest control alternatives.|The study involved a comparative analysis of 80 non- IPM trained smallholder tomato growers and 50 IPM trained smallholder tomato growers. The farmers were surveyed in 1999 in Chinamora communal area, a horticulture zone 50 km north of Harare.
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Most farmers in Zimbabwe are smallholders whose production systems are predominately subsistence based and in which maize accounts for over 65% of the cultivated area. In Zimbabwe, horticultural production has grown steadily, becoming an important additional source of income for smallholders, and farmers are being encouraged to diversify to the production of high value crops. Tomatoes account for about 60% of the land area allocated to horticultural crops.|Tomato production is vulnerable to pests and disease outbreaks. Currently, pest management in tomato production is characterized by a heavy dependence on chemical pesticides. These are viewed as a quick and easy solution to pest problems. In Zimbabwe and many developing countries, chemical pesticides have received much government support as a means of reducing crop losses. However, mounting evidence points up the negative effects of chemical pesticides on human health and the environment. Toxic substances can accumulate in the ecosystem and have a detrimental effect on non-target organisms. Integrated pest management (IPM) promotes the use of all known (biological and cultural) environmentally benign pest control measures. Farmers are encouraged to integrate the various methods so that chemicals are used minimally and judiciously. In Zimbabwe, IPM has not been widely promoted. Given the increasing cost of agricultural inputs in Zimbabwe, there could be scope for wider adoption of IPM.|This study presents a preliminary assessment of the impact of IPM technology on farmers' pest control practices, perceptions of chemical pesticides, and knowledge of non-chemical pest control alternatives.|The study involved a comparative analysis of 80 non- IPM trained smallholder tomato growers and 50 IPM trained smallholder tomato growers. The farmers were surveyed in 1999 in Chinamora communal area, a horticulture zone 50 km north of Harare.

Socioeconomics Program

English

0310|AGRIS 0301|AL-Economics Program|R01PROCE

Juan Carlos Mendieta

INT2341

CIMMYT Publications Collection


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