Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Greener Journal of  Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2 (8), pp.412-423, December 2012

 ISSN: 2276-7770 

Research Paper

Manuscript Number:110912244

 

Farmers’ Knowledge and Perceptions of Fruit Fly Pests and Their Management in Northern Ghana  

Badii Kongyeli Benjamin, Billah Maxwell Kelvin, Afreh-Nuamah Kwame and Obeng-Ofori Daniel  

 

Department of Agronomy, University for Development Studies, P. O. Box TL 1882, Tamale, Ghana,
Department of Crop Science, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 44, Legon, Ghana,
Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 44, Legon, Ghana,

Corresponding Author’s Email: benbedii @ yahoo.com, Tel: +233243503313

Abstract: 

Farmer-level knowledge is an important component of the action plan of the fruit fly committee of Ghana. A survey was conducted among 188 fruit growers in 20 districts in northern Ghana between February and May, 2012, to assess their knowledge, perceptions and practices (KPP) regarding fruit fly pests. Semi-structured questions designed in an open- and closed-ended fashion were used to assess farmers’ KPP about the pests. Majority (90 %) of the farmers were already aware of the fruit fly problem in the country with 55.3% perceiving it to be very serious. Majority (80.9%) of farmers however, demonstrated poor knowledge in identifying the fruit fly species of economic importance, especially the new African invader fruit fly, Bactrocera invadens. Farmers were more conversant with the economic impact of fruit flies than their direct damage symptoms on host fruits. A total of 39% growers took no action to control fruit flies in their farms. Recommended fruit fly control strategies such as pheromone trapping, bait application, soil inoculation and biological control were either unknown or inaccessible to growers. A total of (72%) applied chemicals that were not recommended for the control of fruit flies without considering their environmental and health risks. It is important to train fruit growers to improve their capabilities for fruit fly management through farmers’ field schools appropriate for helping them acquire basic knowledge of fruit fly pests and their control, and enable the most receptive farmers to reach a level of independent decision-makers.
 
Keywords: Fruit growers, Knowledge, Perceptions, Fruit fly pests, Northern Ghana.

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