Striga spp. is renowned for causing great losses in cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. Crop competitiveness with parasitic weeds such as Striga is an important criterion for selection in an initiative to produce and release rice cultivars to farmers that are able to give high and stable yields under low-input conditions. The symptoms of Striga infected rice plants are chlorosis, wilting and stunted growth. Rice yield is reported to be reduced by more than 50% in areas that are infested by the weed. In addition, areas that are heavily infested have been abandoned and rendered unfit for crop production. Notable advances in Striga weed control technology have been made, yet the weed continues to be a major cause of low agricultural production. This is an indication of poor linkage between research institutions and agricultural extension which is a bottleneck to research findings to benefit farmers.
Striga spp. is considered to be the greatest biological constraint to food production in sub-Saharan Africa, a more serious problem than insects, birds and plant diseases. They are among the most specialized root-parasitic plants inflicting serious injury to their host depriving them water, minerals and photosynthate. The greatest diversity of Striga spp. occurs in grassland. However, Striga hermonthica mainly occurs in farmland infecting grasses. The parasite devastating effect is accomplished prior to its emergence from the soil. It may cause yield losses in cereals ranging from 15% under favourable conditions to 100% where several stress factors are involved, thereby affecting the livelihood of millions of resource-poor farmers. Piecemeal approach to address one aspect of Striga problem at a time has been a setback in technology transfer to producers. Future Striga control programs should not be conducted separately, but should rather be conducted in an integrated approach that combines research talents of various institutions. This will facilitate collaborative research and achieve qualitative interaction between stakeholders, which can easily produce reliable technologies that are practical and available to farmers. Striga being a pervasive pest, time is of essence in controlling it. There is an urgent need for the establishment of policies to promote, implement, and ensure a long-term sustainable Striga control program.
Witchweed, Striga hermonthica (hereafter, referred to as “Striga”), is a major biotic constraint to cereal production in sub‐Saharan Africa. The parasitic plant is a socioeconomic problem that has forced some resource‐poor farmers to abandon their farms due to high infestation. This study was designed in order to elucidate farmers' perceptions of Striga control measures and to determine their potential adoption in two villages in western Kenya. Participatory rural appraisals and individual interviews were conducted in 2009 and 2010 in a sample of 128 and 120 households in Kaura and Kogweno‐Oriang villages in Homabay and Rachuonyo districts, respectively. The results revealed that crop production was the main occupation in most households. The farmers identified Striga as one of the major constraints to maize, sorghum, and finger millet production. According to the farmers, the most popular control measures were hand‐pulling, crop rotation, and intercropping, even though rotational systems might need a longer timeframe to reduce the soil seed bank of Striga. Although the level of Striga infestation and damage were increasing in the farmers' fields, the adoption of the control options was limited. The reason for the low adoption level of the control methods by the farmers is because they are “too risky” as there is no guarantee of a direct pay‐off in increased crop yield. Farmer‐led evaluation and adaptation of the various Striga control technologies in real‐life situations will facilitate the choice of appropriate options and facilitate their uptake.
Rice farming remains an important concern in Kenya due to its positive impact on increasing household food security, raising farmer's income as well as reducing risks in the years of poor weather conditions. Currently, the demand for rice in Kenya outstrips its production, a gap that is filled through imports. Thus, increasing rice production and productivity in Kenya requires a number of measures to be put in place such as providing improved rice varieties that are attractive to farmers and consumers, and technical support to both public and private sectors which may inform on a wide range of policy issues such as promoting investment, land and water use management, market and pricing information and extension services. In order to integrate, promote and upgrade the existing rice agribusinesses in the country; there is need for the rice entrepreneurs to have easy access to financial services that will provide sustainable affordable funds. The possible factors that constrain the rice sub-sector trading include low production, high competition from cheap rice imports, changing consumer preferences and government policy restrictions. Bearing in mind such limitations, there still exists a significant market opportunity in the sector and with the right support either from government or donor funding, Kenya's rice demand can be met.
Studies were conducted to determine farmers' perception on Striga control options and their potential for adoption in two Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in Central Malawi. Individual interviews were conducted in Mpingu (Lilongwe District) and Mponela (Dowa District) EPAs in 2010 in a sample of 247 respondents. The study revealed that crop production was the main source of livelihood for most households. Farmers identified Striga as a constraint to maize production and attributed its increasing incidence to insufficient funds to purchase inputs, soil fertility and grazing animals. On Striga control mechanisms, manure application was perceived to be the best by farmers, followed by crop rotation, fertilizer application and hand pulling. Even though Striga infestation is increasing in farmers fields, they have not adopted the control options. The low adoption of the options has been justified as "too risky" as farmers do not trust them. Emphasis should be laid on undertaking on-farm trials and development of technologies should involve farmers if they are to gain wide acceptability.
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