Impact of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith) on small-scale maize farmers and its control strategies in the Limpopo province, South Africa
Date
2021Author
Makgoba, Mankwana C.
Tshikhudo, Phumudzo P.
Nnzeru, Livhuwani R.
Makhado, Rudzani A.
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South Africa experienced major outbreaks of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) (J.E. Smith)
(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), causing direct damage by feeding on both vegetative and reproductive
parts of host plant. The study was conducted to determine the level of impact of fall armyworm
on small-scale maize famers after the outbreak of fall armyworm and their control strategies at
Ga-Mashashane and Mankweng villages in the Limpopo province. Semi-structured
questionnaire was designed to gather information on the damage caused by fall armyworm,
economic impact on the local market and control measures on fall armyworm. Using a snowball
sampling procedure, 63 small-scale maize farmers from the two villages of the Limpopo
province, South Africa, were randomly selected for this study. The results showed that all
participants could correctly identify the fall armyworm and reported it as the most important
maize pest during 2016–2017 cropping season. The maize yield loss experienced by affected
farmers in the 2016–2017 cropping season was slightly lower as compared with the 2015–2016
harvest. These farmers used pesticides as a control measure for fall armyworm. Fall armyworm
has become a major pest in South Africa and the tackling of fall armyworm by small-scale
farmers and averting yield losses is thus critical. This study contributes to the knowledge on fall
armyworm management by small-scale farmers, which is essential to enhancing food security.