Effects of major pests and diseases on the total costs of production in Gombe sub-county in Wakiso district.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of pests and diseases on the overall total costs in Gombe sub-county in Wakiso district. The study was also based on 3 specific objective that is, to identify the major pests that confronts tomato farmers in Gombe sub-county in Wakiso district, to identify the methods used to control the major the major pests of tomatoes and costs incurred by farmers in the study area, to estimate the factors that influence the proportion of the money farmers spend on pests and disease control in relation to total costs. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted a cross sectional,correlation and survey research designs. Data was collected through questioners, face to face interviews and observational methods. Data was analyzed by use of statistical methods, descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The study results revealed that the major pest that affect tomatoes in the study are were mites with 28.7%, major disease that was affecting tomatoes in Gombe sub-county Wakiso district was bitter rot with (21.4%) and blossom end rot (12.9%). The major method farmers used in controlling pests and diseases was chemical method with 99.5% and a few used organic methods with 0.5%. The regression results showed that the family size, age of the farmer, age of the farmer and the distance from agricultural extension office significantly affected the proportion of money farmers spent on pests and disease control in relation to the total cost of production at a 0.05 significance level. Recommendations were;the government should recruit and supervise more extension workers,the farmers should not engage all the members of the family especially the children in pests and disease control, experienced tomato farmers should teach other farmers who are just entering the field of tomato growing especially the youth and the women, the sub-county agricultural office should be extended near to the farmers,government should reduce the taxes on agricultural inputs like especially pesticides.