| dc.description.abstract | This is a report of the special project that was carried out in Aturtur Sub-County, Kumi District in
Eastern Uganda to establish farmers’ knowledge of the Sweet Potato Weevil (Cylas formicarius)
which is a major devastating pest in the area. The specific objectives were to: find out the
farmer’s knowledge and perceptions of sweet potato weevils in Aturtur Sub County; Determine
the extent and trends of damage in the last 10 years due to sweetpotato weevils in the Sub
County; and determine the cultural methods used by smallholder farmers to control and alleviate
the sweet potato weevils. Data was collected from 60 respondents (31 male and 29 female) from
four different parishes of Ariet, Aturtur Apokin, and Apapai, using a questionnaire, Key
Informant Interviews, and analysis done using SPSS. In each parish, one village was selected i.e.
Alungar, Ocagoro, Orapada, and Oswapai villages in the respective parishes. The findings show
that all farmers in the area of study had prior knowledge about the different pests that attack
sweet potato. Ninety-seven (96.7 %) of the respondents identified weevils as the most destructive
pest and this was followed by caterpillars (??? ) and rodents by 85%. The study revealed that
Sweet potato production per unit area is still low and being characterized by fluctuations in
yields year after year. The study also found out that 71.7% of the respondents depended on
agriculture for a living. Different methods that were being used by farmers to manage the pests
which include crop rotation, timely harvesting, weeding, re-hilling up and many others. In light
of the above findings, it was concluded that Sweet potato weevils remain the most destructive
pest of sweet potato. It is therefore recommended that any plans to increase sweet potato
production and productivity must aim at eradicating the pest. | en_US |
