Indigenous Knowledge of Crop Pest with Control Practice of Farmers of Southwest Ethiopia

Crop production in Southwest Ethiopia is significantly affected by harmful organisms that deteriorate both quality and quantity of harvest. This study assessed farmer knowledge of pests and the practicability of control mechanisms employed by farmers through a community-based cross-sectional study conducted from May to June 2019. Data were collected using validated structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, focal group discussions with elders, and key informant interviews with experts. Out of 422 farmers, 398 provided complete information. Results showed that 74.3% of farmers possessed excellent knowledge of pests while 25.7% had good knowledge. Farmers primarily employed cultural methods (crop rotation, row plantation, weed control, and timing of sowing), mechanical methods (hand removal, mimicry, noisemakers, and barriers), and chemical methods (pesticides like Mancozeb, Ridomil, Sumithion, and Endosulfan) for pest control. Chemical methods were found most effective but posed health and environmental risks, while cultural methods were less immediately effective but more sustainable. The findings demonstrate that local farmers have substantial indigenous knowledge of pests and employ diverse control strategies adapted to their agricultural system.