Farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and management of major insect pests of potato at Kavrepalanchok, Nepal

Abstract

Out of the 13 municipalities in the district, four (Banepa, Panauti, Panchkhal and Mandandeupur) were chosen based on their higher production potential, and 25 households from each of the four municipalities were then randomly chosen, yielding a sample size of 100. We used both primary and secondary data collection methods. According to the findings, the disease is one of the top five primary issues facing farmers in the research area, with an index value of 0.818. Information level was divided into four categories: 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, denoting lack of knowledge, knowledge about one insect pest, knowledge about two insect pests, knowledge about three insect pests, and knowledge about four or more insect pests. In the study area, the majority of farmers (33%) were found to be knowledgeable of 2 insect pests. The majority of farmers (67%) thought the potato tuber moth was the worst problem. The majority of farmers (42%) thought that insect pests only had a minimal impact on plant populations (about 40%). The majority of farmers (44%) believed that insect pests had only slightly harmed (40% area affected) their fields or stores. The majority of farmers (71%) said chemical methods were the most effective for controlling insect pests. The majority of farmers (50.6%) were found to apply the recommended dose of chemical pesticides for insect pest management. The majority of farmers (51%) thought that the proliferation of insect pests was on the decline.