Farmers' knowledge of cassava brown streak disease and its management in Malawi

ABSTRACT

There is little information on farmers’ knowledge about cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) brown streak disease (CBSD), despite extensive studies on incidences and severities. The objective of this study was to assess farmers’ knowledge of CBSD diagnosis and management. The study was conducted in three districts of Malawi by administering semi-structured interviews in combination with disease incidence and severity surveys. Farmers’ knowledge of disease diagnosis and management was associated with CBSD incidence and severity. High levels of knowledge about CBSD were observed in areas with high disease incidence. Only 10.1% of the farmers were capable of identifying the foliar symptoms of the disease. On average, 75.0% and 71.7% of the farms had leaf and storage root incidences, respectively. At harvest, 88.3% of the farmers’ fields exhibited storage root necrosis. CBSD leaf and storage root severities differed significantly (P < 0.001) from one district to the other and between varieties. Most farmers were found to lack a source of clean planting material. High needs for extension services on cassava cultivation methods and pest management were identified, but few farmers received such services. The lack of new improved varieties was reported as the most important constraint of cassava production, beyond CBSD. Education of farmers on the efficient management of this viral disease through selection of clean planting material should be provided. Additionally, the development of early root bulking cultivars as a long-term solution in avoiding CBSD impact should be supported.

KEYWORDS:

• Diagnosis
• Manihot esculenta Crantz
• perceptions
• symptom identification
• viral disease

Acknowledgments

The authors are very grateful to the farmers who shared their knowledge on cassava and to research assistants who participated in conducting the interviews. The authors also thank the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa for funding the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.