Abstract
Maize is the single most important food cereal in eastern and southern Africa. Yield levels, however, are among the lowest in the world. Among the major constraints limiting production are the insect pests. Objective assessment of damage and losses caused by these pests are lacking in several countries within the region. This paper discusses some of the methodologies available, and how they can be used to estimate the losses caused by insect pests under different situations. It emphasizes the need for standardization of the methodologies, so that information generated from different countries can be compared. This will promote collective action to combat the pest menace and increase food security.
Résumé
Le mais est le cereal, le plus important à l’Est et au Sud de l’Afrique. Le rendement des recoltes est cependant l’un des plus bas du monde. Parmis les constraintes importantes limitant la production, il y a les insectes nuisibles. Une evaluation objective des pertes et dommages causés par les insectes manque dans beaucoup des pays de la region. Cette contribution analyse certaines methodes deja existantes et comment peut on les utiliser pour estimer les pertes causées par les insectes sous des conditions differentes. Ceci met en evidence le besoin d’une standardization des methodologies pourque les informations acquises dans les differents pays puissent être comparer. Cela entrainera une action collective contre la menace des insectes nuisibles et l’accroissement de la securite alimentaire.
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Ampofo, J.K.O. Assessment of On-Farm Losses in Maize Production Due to Insect Pests. Int J Trop Insect Sci 9, 687–690 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400005543
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400005543