Utilization of non-chemical pest control practices among agro-pastoralist farmers in Gambella region, Ethiopia.
Bor C
Ethnobotany
Ash scattered around garden beds, crop rotation, neem spray, and chili deterrents — techniques your grandparents may have used — are still the frontline pest defenses for millions of smallholder farmers, and understanding what makes them stick (or not) could help revive them in your own backyard.
Researchers surveyed over 270 small-scale farmers in Ethiopia to find out how they keep pests off their crops without using chemical pesticides. The most popular method was simply spreading ash around plants, followed by rotating crops and planting neem or chili-based sprays. Interestingly, more educated farmers were actually less likely to use these traditional methods, while farmers who owned their land were more likely to invest in them.
Key Findings
Ash application was the most commonly used non-chemical pest control method, adopted by 49.6% of surveyed farmers.
Higher education levels negatively and significantly predicted use of traditional pest control practices (p < 0.01), suggesting educated farmers may favor chemical alternatives.
Farmland ownership was positively associated with non-chemical pest management adoption (p < 0.01), indicating land tenure security encourages sustainable practices.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Ethiopian farmers in the Gambella region rely heavily on traditional, non-chemical pest control methods like ash application and crop rotation, but adoption is uneven and shaped more by land ownership and crop type than by consistent practice across households.
Abstract Preview
Agricultural production continues to face critical problems, including persistent pest invasion, a lack of modern farm inputs, and climate change. Non-chemical pest control practices are vital, as ...
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