Ten years after the arrival in Ghana of Larger Grain Borer: Farmers' responses and adoption of IPM strategies

Abstract

Small-scale on-farm storage of maize in Africa is changing, in part due to shifts in the threat from insect pests. A questionnaire survey of 242 households in four closely situated districts in the Volta Region of Ghana, where Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) arrived ten years ago, was used to show how maize storage practices have changed over the last five years. The survey included asking farmers about changing use of contact insecticides in maize storage in order to guide research and future recommendations. We found high uptake of recommendations developed by a project for reducing Larger Grain Borer damage. Farmers are being pro-active in preventing extensive damage from this pest by replacing the wood of their storage structures, increasing inspection of maize in their stores, and increasing their use of grain protectants. There were differences in post-harvest practices according to district, ethnic group and gender. Grain protectants (traditional methods or commercially available products) were used by 45% of farmers. Cost was the most often cited constraint to the use of recommended commercial products. Farmers reported that their three most important sources of information on maize storage were the agricultural extension services, radio programmes and local networks of friends, family and fellow farmers.