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Title: Farmers’ Perception and Knowledge in Begomovirus Epidemiology and Control in Pakistan
Authors: Tehmina Bahar, Mehwish Rauf, Sidra Muqeet, Muhammad S. Haider
Journal: International Journal of Phytopathology
Publisher: Center for Community Learning
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2023
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Language: English
DOI: 10.33687/phytopath.012.01.4480
Keywords: BegomovirusFarmers’ perceptionGeminivirusesControl strategiesVirus epidemiology
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan and the growing crops are called as the “spinal cord” of the state but still import bill of the country agricultural products is rising day by day and issues of the food security is also becoming grave because of less knowledge of farmers about the emerging abiotic and biotic stresses affecting the crop productivity. Among various biotic stresses, prevalence of begomoviruses is considered to be a major constraint in reducing the yields of economically important food and fiber crops. Farmers’ perception and their knowledge regarding begomoviruses epidemiology and practices are the pre-requisites for effective virus control. A farmer survey mostly having less than 12.5 acres land mostly of vegetables, rice and maize growers involving 250 randomly selected respondents from five major districts (Nankana, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Lahore) of Punjab, Pakistan to inquire from them whether they are familiar with begomoviruses identification, their means of transfer from diseases inoculum to healthy plants and associated losses in fields, proper management of these losses on time, was conducted to better understand the farmer knowledge and practices and to set the possible pathways for intervention of effective virus control. Lack of sufficient technical information regarding vector of begomovirus, their transmission and disease symptoms was the major hindrance to the efforts of farmers for effective virus control. In addition, the farmers did not have sufficient knowledge of locally available methods of begomovirus control. The highest prioritization aspect of virus control for immediate attention were determined by decision making such as spider diagram. Use of effective pesticides, certified planting material, and begomovirus tolerant cultivars were found to be the most attention requiring virus control aspects which could have a greater influence to lower the virus prevalence in field crops. Present study suggests that enhancing the farmer knowledge is a highest prioritized key determinant of effective virus control strategy for implementation in Pakistan.
To inquire about farmers' familiarity with begomoviruses identification, their means of transfer, associated losses, and management practices to understand farmer knowledge and set pathways for effective virus control intervention in Punjab, Pakistan.
A farmer survey involving 250 randomly selected respondents from five major districts (Nankana, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Lahore) of Punjab, Pakistan, was conducted in 2018 (July, August, September). Farmers mostly grew vegetables, rice, and maize on small landholdings (<12.5 acres). Data collection used semi-structured questionnaires with open-ended questions. GPS positions were recorded. Data analysis involved mean separation using the LSD test in R (agricolae package, alpha = 0.05). Spider diagrams were used for decision-making regarding the prioritization of effective control strategies based on expert opinion weighting (0-10) of indicators.
graph TD; A[Define Survey Sites & Sample Size 250 farmers in 5 Punjab Districts] --> B[Data Collection via Semi-structured Questionnaire2018]; B --> C[Record GPS Positions]; C --> D[Analyze Data LSD Test in R]; D --> E[Determine Control Strategy Priorities Spider Diagrams]; E --> F[Identify Knowledge Gaps & Recommend Interventions]; F --> G[Conclusion on Farmer Capacity Building];
Local farmers demonstrated poor understanding of begomovirus epidemiology, including the role of whiteflies, mechanical transmission, and disease symptoms. Inappropriate and excessive pesticide use was noted, posing environmental and health risks. Farmers prioritized high-yield varieties over virus-tolerant ones. The abundance of alternative host weeds surrounding fields contributed significantly to virus spread, as practices like hand weeding were favored over effective methods like crop rotation. Improving farmer perception and knowledge is crucial for effective control and minimizing yield losses.
Lack of sufficient technical information regarding the begomovirus vector (whitefly), transmission mechanisms, and disease symptoms was a major hindrance to effective control. A high percentage of farmers (70.6% mean) did not know about whiteflies, and 99.16% did not identify begomovirus symptoms correctly. Farmers lacked sufficient knowledge of locally available control methods. The highest prioritized aspects for immediate attention, determined by spider diagrams, included: use of effective pesticides, certified planting material, and begomovirus tolerant cultivars. Enhancing farmer knowledge was identified as the highest prioritized key determinant for effective virus control strategy implementation.
Farmer knowledge regarding begomovirus epidemiology is critically low, necessitating capacity building policies. Prioritizing interventions based on farmer needs, identified via spider diagrams (e.g., knowledge on pesticide use, certified material, and host resistance), is essential to minimize yield losses caused by begomoviruses in Pakistan.
1. The survey involved 250 randomly selected respondents across five districts in Punjab, Pakistan.
2. The survey was conducted during July, August, and September of 2018.
3. A high percentage (70.6% mean) of respondents did not know about whiteflies, the vector for begomoviruses.
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