Integration of nematology as a training and research discipline in sub-Saharan Africa: progress and prospects

Abstract

SummaryWithin sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), although nematodes are viewed among the most important threats to crop production and food security, the presence of trained nematologists working within this discipline has traditionally been viewed as scarce. The few research studies concerning this subject address this topic from a country or sub-regional perspective and generally portray nematology as ‘insufficient’. Over the past two decades, a few initiatives have been instrumental in building greater nematology expertise. For the first time a structured survey was undertaken, involving interviews with individuals from SSA that were (or currently are) involved in nematology training programmes, research, national extension services or in African universities. This paper provides evidence of the positive impact of various initiatives and shows an increase in the number of available nematology positions, together with high rates of graduates that return home to occupy qualified positions. Our findings will help researchers, policy makers and donors to identify areas requiring support to increase the promotion of nematology in SSA and to make an impact for end-users.

Influence of altitude as a proxy for temperature on key Musa pests and diseases in watershed areas of Burundi and Rwanda

“…Unfortunately, this is not the case for pests such as nematodes as these continue to be neglected or go unnoticed by farmers, extension agents and policy makers all over the world, sub Saharan Africa (SSA) being no exception, despite the significant economic losses they cause [ 64 ]. Our results are in line with other studies that have emphasized the low awareness levels and poor understanding of nematodes in SSA [ 65 ]. Considering the results obtained from our pest and disease survey, the lack of knowledge by farmers about the importance of banana weevils and nematodes as pests threatening banana fields, can be likely attributed to a lack of awareness about these pests rather than to their absence, as both banana weevils and banana nematodes were highly prevalent in all the sampled areas.…”

Integrated Nematode Management

“…There is a dire need for nematology centres to link more closely with nematologists in food-insecure countries around the world to improve their expertise and access to modern technology as was done in the past in such programmes as the former International Meloidogyne Project (IMP) at North Carolina State University USA, The Nematology Initiative for Eastern and Southern Africa (NIESA) of Rothamsted Experimental Station UK and ongoing capacity building programmes, e.g. Nematology Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (NEMEDUSSA) at Ghent University, Belgium among others, that made and are making major strides in improving nematology around the world (Cortada et al, 2019).…”