Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Tuta absoluta is one of the most destructive pests of tomato in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Tanzania, smallholder farmers rely almost exclusively on synthetic pesticides to manage it. While biological alternatives, including semiochemicals and conservation of natural enemies, are increasingly promoted for sustainable pest management, little is known about smallholder farmers’ awareness, perceptions, and access to these technologies.
This study investigated farmers’ awareness, perceptions, feasibility of use, and adoption potential of biological alternatives for Tuta absoluta management in Mapinduzi, Iringa Rural District, Tanzania. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 respondents, including 22 active tomato cultivators and four farmers who did not currently cultivate tomatoes and participated as proxy observers from the same agro-ecological zone. Data were analyzed using non-parametric methods (Spearman rank correlations, Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher’s exact test) in R, supplemented by thematic analysis of qualitative interview data.
Respondents reported frequent and severe Tuta absoluta infestations and identified synthetic pesticides as the primary control method used locally. Awareness was low: 30.8% had general knowledge of biological alternatives, 19.2% could name a specific biological control tool such as a semiochemical or natural enemy, and 88.5% could not distinguish beneficial insects from pests. None had received extension training on biological control. Across all four feasibility dimensions (efficacy, affordability, accessibility, economic viability), most respondents reported having no experience that would allow them to compare biological alternatives with synthetic pesticides.
The strongest statistical finding was a negative correlation between health-risk perception and willingness to adopt an IPM approach combining biological alternatives with synthetic pesticides. Respondents with greater concern about pesticide-related health risks were less willing to adopt this integrated approach. However, all respondents stated that they would adopt biological alternatives if their effectiveness were demonstrated, suggesting that reluctance concerned the continued use of synthetic pesticides rather than biological alternatives themselves.
Supplementary interviews with 20 agro-dealers, conducted as part of a parallel study, indicated that only one dealer stocked a biological pest control product – a semiochemical – and that most lacked training in biological pest control, reflecting very limited availability of biological pest-control products among the dealers interviewed. The study concludes that farmer-centred demonstrations, strengthened extension capacity, improved product availability, and supportive regulatory frameworks are needed to enable more sustainable and biologically informed management of Tuta absoluta in Tanzanian smallholder tomato production.