Why the invasive apple snail is causing Kenya’s basmati rice to lose its sweet smell of productivity
Kenya’s Mwea Irrigation Settlement Scheme (MIS) is located in Kirinyaga County and falls within two sub counties – Mwea East and Mwea, writes Harrison Rware and Fernadis Makale who are both intrigued by the invasive apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) pest which is wreaking havoc in the fields of concerned rice farmers.
Benefits of biocontrol products in the fight against Tuta absoluta
Tomato is one of the key vegetables grown by farmers in Kenya for income. However, production is constrained by numerous factors with insect pests as the most important. Farmers tend to manage tomato pests with pesticide sprays but these have associated risks to the environment, food safety and the health of sprayers.
Tomato farmers in Kenya believe area-wide pest management can easily be instituted and effectively control Tuta absoluta
Tomato is one of the most important vegetables grown in Kenya and plays a critical role in income generation and creation of employment for both rural and urban populations, in addition to meeting food nutritional requirements. Tuta absoluta – also known as tomato leafminer – is a native of South America (Peru) and is one…
Tomato farmers in Kenya willing to use integrated pest management and bioproducts to manage Tuta absoluta
Tomato is an important crop in meeting domestic nutritional food requirements as well as in income generation and creation of employment for both rural and urban populations in Kenya. However, tomato production is facing serious challenges from the invasive pest, Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta.) Since 2014, T.absoluta has become the most serious threat to the sustainable production…