Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Farmer Field School (FFS): A guide for facilitators of FFS on maize with special emphasis on fall armyworm

The guide provides information on fall armyworm behavior, interactions with predators, parasitoids, and microbial pathogens in the agro-ecosystem, and how to organize Farmer Field Schools to facilitate sustainable management.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 108 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

The fall armyworm (FAW) is a highly destructive pest that has caused significant damage to crops across the world. It is a native of the Americas but has recently spread to many other regions, including Africa, Asia, and Australia. The caterpillar of the FAW is a small, brown insect that feeds on leaves of various plants, including corn, cotton, and soybeans.
The fall armyworm (FAW) is a highly destructive pest that has caused significant damage to crops across the world. It is a native of the Americas but has recently spread to many other regions, including Africa, Asia, and Australia. The caterpillar of the FAW is a small, brown insect that feeds on leaves of various plants, including corn, cotton, and soybeans.

The FAW has a unique life cycle that involves four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The egg stage is the most vulnerable, and the larvae are the most destructive. The larvae feed on leaves, causing significant damage to crops. The pupa stage is a dormant stage, and the adult stage is the most mobile.

The FAW has a wide range of predators, parasitoids, and microbial pathogens that can help control its population. Some of the most common predators include birds, spiders, and insects. Parasitoids, such as the braconid wasp, can also help control the population of the FAW. Microbial pathogens, such as the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, can also help control the population of the FAW.

Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are a valuable tool for facilitating sustainable management of the FAW in cropping systems. FFS are a series of training sessions that are designed to provide farmers with the knowledge and skills they need to manage pests and diseases in their crops. FFS can help farmers to improve their crop yields, reduce their use of pesticides, and improve their environmental sustainability.

To organize a Farmer Field School, it is important to identify the target audience and the specific topics that will be covered. The sessions should be interactive and engaging, and they should be delivered by experienced farmers and agricultural professionals. The sessions should also be tailored to the specific needs of the farmers, and they should be followed up with additional support and resources.

One of the key topics that should be covered in a Farmer Field School is the identification and management of the FAW. Farmers should be taught how to identify the symptoms of the FAW, how to control its population, and how to prevent its spread. They should also be taught how to use natural predators, parasitoids, and microbial pathogens to control the FAW.

Another key topic that should be covered in a Farmer Field School is the use of sustainable pest management practices. Farmers should be taught how to use integrated pest management (IPM) practices, such as crop rotation, cover crops, and trap crops, to control pests and diseases in their crops. They should also be taught how to use pesticides sparingly and effectively, and how to minimize the environmental impact of their pest management practices.

In addition to the identification and management of the FAW, Farmer Field Schools should also cover other topics that are relevant to sustainable agriculture. These topics may include soil health, water management, and biodiversity conservation. By providing farmers with a comprehensive understanding of these topics, Farmer Field Schools can help them to develop sustainable farming practices that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

In conclusion, the fall armyworm is a highly destructive pest that has caused significant damage to crops across the world. Farmer Field Schools are a valuable tool for facilitating sustainable management of the FAW in cropping systems. By providing farmers with the knowledge and skills they need to manage pests and diseases in their crops, Farmer Field Schools can help farmers to improve their crop yields, reduce their use of pesticides, and improve their environmental sustainability.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 244 x 296 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789251341780