Improved Production Efficiency through Standardized, Integrated, and Enhanced Research and Technology (NCS 19P)

Approach

The goal of NCS 19P was to increase production efficiency through the development and deployment of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices with emphasis on diseases and insects, and to integrate aflatoxin risk into the disease and insect management strategies and determine the influence of production and pest management practices on aflatoxin incidence.

Achievements

In Ghana, the research has developed good survey data on the major pest problems, conducted loss assessment studies, evaluated more than 30 lines of peanuts, conducted trials on control methodologies, including local soaps for leaf spot suppression, and involved participant farmers in peanut/groundnut IPM schools. The most important constraints identified include diseases (leaf spot, rust and rosette), which cause 50-70% yield reduction; soil pests, and weeds. Disease control using local soaps has been effective in reducing losses. Millipedes and termites are particularly important in that pod boring and scarification predisposes pods to invasion by Aspergillus flavus that produces aflatoxin. Chlorpyrifos and Furadan have been used to control soil pests. Both are effective, but costs and toxicity consideration favor use of Chlorpyrifos. Marked yield increases have been achieved, two-fold in some cases. This has stimulated production, research and extension. Incomes have been raised; one woman farmer had managed to build a new house and another farmer had managed to buy a new vehicle. In North Carolina, screening trials and evaluations have been completed for thrips, potato leafhopper, Southern corn rootworm, and tomato spotted wilt virus resistance, and a number of germplasm lines showed some levels of resistance. Pest survey and crop loss data has allowed evaluation of production constraints and interventions have been implemented.

Focus

Producer Values