Qualitative Cost-Benefit Analysis of Using Pesticidal Plants in Smallholder Crop Protection

Abstract

Assessing the potential drivers of farmers using pesticidal plants for crop protection is essential for wider adoption. However, few studies have focused on collaborative assessments of the underlying trade-offs when using pesticidal plant extracts for pest control. Smallholder farmers in northern Tanzania involved in farmer driven research assessing pesticidal plants evaluated the costs, benefits, trade-offs and areas for future investment. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information from 77 farmers and their views on pest problems and crop protection in common bean production. This was followed by small focus group discussions (n = 9) using a participatory framework to elucidate the costs and benefits of adopting pesticidal plant technology. A multiple correspondence analysis showed that pesticidal plant use was associated with men greater than 50 years old, and synthetic pesticide use was associated with younger aged farmers and women. Farmers who used synthetics generally did not report the presence of common pest species found in common bean production, whereas farmers who used pesticidal plants were associated with more frequent reports of pest species. This participatory cost–benefit analysis highlighted that tools and processing challenges were the main costs to using pesticidal plants. The main benefit reported when using pesticidal plants was a general improvement to family health. Farmers expressed overall a positive outcome when using pesticidal plants for crop protection and recommended that future investments focus on improving access to tools and education regarding plant processing and extraction to improve uptake of the technology by smallholder farmers.

Sustainable intensification of smallholder farming systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

“…Further, Belmain et al (2022) suggest the elimination of synthetic pesticides in order to support these natural processes and food sovereignty. Mkindi et al (2021) recommend pesticidal plants as one alternative to synthetic pesticides. Onethird of farmers in the study area reported using pesticidal plants such as T. vogelii and Tithonia diversifolia.…”

“…There is renewed interest in the use of pesticidal plants along with soil health improvement to better manage insect pests and diseases (Belmain et al, 2022). Common bean smallholder farmers in our study area use pesticidal plants for controlling insect pests and diseases, mainly targeting above-ground pests and diseases (Mkindi et al, 2021) as there is little evidence of the use and efficacy of such products on below-ground pests and pathogens (Toepfer et al, 2021). Further, more needs to be known in African smallholder systems on how soil type, soil quality and farmer management of soil health and fertility contribute to SPD, although studies from other areas show some promising findings (Watson et al, 2002;Janvier et al, 2007;Birkhofer et al, 2008;Huber et al, 2011).…”

Agroecological management of fall armyworm using soil and botanical treatments reduces crop damage and increases maize yield

“…Isman, 2020;Uyi et al, 2021;Ngegba et al, 2022) including FAW (Phambala et al, 2020;Rioba and Stevenson, 2020). Research on the efficacy of botanicals (Mkindi et al, 2017), their environmental safety (Tembo et al, 2018), cost-benefits (Amoabeng et al, 2014;Mkenda et al, 2015) and farmer-perceived benefits to health (Mkindi et al, 2021) highlight their agroecological importance, particularly within smallholder farming systems (Isman, 2008;Belmain et al, 2022). Botanical pesticides are typically formulated as liquids to spray on to crops.…”

Understanding farmer knowledge and site factors in relation to soil-borne pests and pathogens to support agroecological intensification of smallholder bean production systems

“…Further, Belmain et al (2022) suggest the elimination of synthetic pesticides in order to support these natural processes and food sovereignty. Mkindi et al (2021) recommend pesticidal plants as one alternative to synthetic pesticides. Onethird of farmers in the study area reported using pesticidal plants such as T. vogelii and Tithonia diversifolia.…”

“…There is renewed interest in the use of pesticidal plants along with soil health improvement to better manage insect pests and diseases (Belmain et al, 2022). Common bean smallholder farmers in our study area use pesticidal plants for controlling insect pests and diseases, mainly targeting above-ground pests and diseases (Mkindi et al, 2021) as there is little evidence of the use and efficacy of such products on below-ground pests and pathogens (Toepfer et al, 2021). Further, more needs to be known in African smallholder systems on how soil type, soil quality and farmer management of soil health and fertility contribute to SPD, although studies from other areas show some promising findings (Watson et al, 2002;Janvier et al, 2007;Birkhofer et al, 2008;Huber et al, 2011).…”