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Smallholder Farmers' Integration of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) in Maize IPM: A Case Study in Zambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Phillip O. Y. Nkunika
Phillip O. Y. Nkunika
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia, E-mail: Pnkunika@natsci.unza.zm
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Abstract

A study was conducted in Muswishi area, Zambia, with the objective of assessing indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) and relating this knowledge to integrated pest management (IPM) in maize production. The methods used included surveys, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), transect walks and semi-structured interviews (SSI). It was found that ITK does exist among some Muswishi smallholder farmers. Eighty-nine percent of respondent farmers never used any chemical pesticides. However, 22% used natural products to manage insect pests. The most widely used natural plant products were Swartzia madascariensis Desv, Tephrosia vogelli Hook.f, Euphorbia tirucalli L, wood ash and cow dung. Farmer's own assessment indicated that the integration of ITK into IPM technology led to increased maize yields (> 37.5%). This study demonstrated the continuing need for integrating ITK into IPM technology. Such an approach could ensure household food security and enhance sustainable livelihoods of rural smallholder farmers.

Résumé

Une étude a été réalisée dans la région de Muswishi, en Zambie, afin d'évaluer les connaissances techniques indigenes (CTI) et de voir dans quelle mesure celles-ci pouvaient être intégrées dans les pratiques de Lutte Intégrée contre les insectes nuisibles (LICIN) du maïs. Les méthodes utilisées consistaient en: (i) enquêtes-sondages; (ii) évaluation du niveau de participation des petits fermiers en milieu rural, (iii) marches en transects; (iv) interviews semi-stucturées. Les résultats obtenus ont montré que certains petits fermiers de Muswishi possédaient bel et bien des CTI. De cette enquête, il ressort que, pour lutter contre les insectes nuisibles, 89% des fermiers n'ont jamais eu recours à aucun pesticide de type industriel, tandis que 22% ont utilisé les produits naturels dérivés des plantes. Parmi ces produits, les plus couramment utilisés étaient à base de Swartzia madascariensis Desv, Tephrosia vogelli Hook.f, et Euphorbia tirucalli L, ainsi que la cendre et la bouse de vache. Cette étude a révélé que l'intégration des CTI dans la technologie de LICIN a permis d'accroître de plus de 37,5% par parcelle de 0,25 ha la production de maïs. Elle a prouvé que les petits fermiers en milieu rural ont un besoin constant d'intégrer les CTI dans la technologie de LICIN. Une telle approche devrait permettre d'améliorer la sécurité alimentaire et les conditions de subsistence des petits fermiers en milieu rural.

Keywords

smallholder farmermaizeintegrated pest managementindigenous technical knowledgenatural plant productsfood securityZambiapetits fermiersmaïslutte intégrée contre les insectes nuisiblesconnaissances techniques indigènesproduits naturels à base de plantessécurité alimentairemoyens durables d'existenceZambie
Type
Research Articles
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , September 2002 , pp. 235 - 240
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2002

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