Assessment of Indigenous Pest and Disease Management Among Sweet Potato Farmers

sweet potatoes are extremely adaptable to adverse environmental conditions and can increase food security in times of drought and famine. However, in recent times sweet potato production has been on the decline due to pest and disease infestation. The objectives of the study were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the sweet potato farmers; identify the common field/storage pest and disease of sweet potato; investigate the indigenous measures of controlling field/storage pests and diseases among others. One hundred and twenty-two sweet potato farmers were randomly selected from two local government areas. The study shows that majority of the sweet potato farmers were male (89.3%) and married (80.4%). The major field and storage pests were armyworm (100%), grasshopper (100%), and rat (100%). Black rot (x=2.39), and bacterial wilt (x=2.35) were the major field and storage diseases of sweet potato. The major challenges faced by sweet potato farmers with use of indigenous methods were proximity to natural herbs (100%). The study concluded that the use of indigenous measures to control sweet potato pest and diseases are very effective and beneficial. Therefore, the study recommended that Extension agent should work with the farmers on how the natural herbs can be preserved within their environment.