Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessing the feasibility of biological control of locusts and grasshoppers in West Africa: Incorporating the farmers' perspective

  • Published:
Agriculture and Human Values Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A participatory rural appraisal inthree West African countries examined thepossibility for replacing chemical pesticidesto control locusts and grasshoppers with abiological control method based on anindigenous fungal pathogen. The fungus iscurrently being tested at different sites inthe Sahel and in the humid tropics of WestAfrica. Structured group interviews, individualdiscussions, and field visits, were used toobtain farmers' perceptions of locust andgrasshoppers as crop pests, their quantitativeestimation of crop losses, and theirwillingness to pay for locust control. Farmersas well as plant protection officers generallyperceived locusts and grasshoppers as importantpests that cause significant damage. Farmerswere aware of some of the risks of the use ofchemical pesticides, but not of the potentialalternatives. The use of the fungus in anoil-formulation and standard Ultra Low Volume(ULV) equipment was demonstrated, and theresults discussed with farmers. Theirimpressions of biological control werefavorable, and they expressed an interest inusing the technology. Farmers' expressedwillingness to pay for locust control is small,but not negligible. Locusts and grasshoppersare very visible pests and thus amenable topressure from farmers to local administrators,as well as by farmers' relatives in the city onthe national government. Therefore, politicalpressure for locust control is strong, althoughnational governments spend little on it,depending mostly on foreign donors. Donors areincreasingly worried about the environmentaleffect of the large amounts of chemicalpesticides used on locust control, and arepushing for more benign alternatives. Theresults of the present survey indicate thatthere may be a potential market for abiopesticide against grasshoppers and locustson cash crops in the humid areas. The potentialmarket in the Sahel depends on a reduction ofcosts or a subsidy of its price. This subsidycould be justified by the expected reduction inenvironmental and health costs when replacingchemical pesticides. Since donors are thecurrent purchasers of chemical pesticides forthe Sahel, they would also be expected to beinvolved in the purchase of the biologicalproduct.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bateman, R. (1997a). “Methods of application of microbial pesticide formulations for the control of grasshoppers and locusts.” Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 171: 69–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateman, R. (1997b). “The development of a mycoinsecticide for the control of locusts and grasshoppers.” Outlook on Agriculture 26(1): 13–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bentley, J. W. (1994). “Facts, fantasies, and failures of farmer participatory research.” Agriculture and Human Values 11(2/3): 140–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, S. D. (1989). “Resource-poor farmer participation in research: A synthesis of experiences from nine national agricultural research systems.” ISNAR-OFCOR Comparative Study paper No. 3. ISNAR. The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers R., A. Pacey, and L. A. Thrupp (1989). Farmer First: Farmer Innovation and Agricultural Research. London: Intermediate Technology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cherry, A. J., N. E. Jenkins, G. Heviefo, R. G. Bateman, and C. J. Lomer (1999). “Operational and economic analysis of a West African pilot scale production plant for aerial conidia of Metarhizium spp. for use as a mycoinsecticide against locusts and grasshoppers.” Biocontrol Science and Technology 9(1): 35–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Groot, A. (1995). “The functioning and sustainability of village crop protection brigades in Niger.” International Journal of Pest management 41(4): 243–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Direction de la Protection des Végétaux (1997). Activités de la campagne agricole 1996/1997, Rapport Annuel. Direction de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage, Direction de la Protection des Végétaux, Service des Etudes Biologiques. Niamey, Niger.

    Google Scholar 

  • DNSI (1994). Enquète budget-consommation 1988–1989. Bamako, Mali: Ministère de l'Economie, des Finances et du Plan, Direction Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Informatique.

    Google Scholar 

  • DNSI (1996). Enquête Agricole de Conjoncture Campagne 1995/1996 Résultats Définitifs. Bamako, Mali: Direction Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Informatique.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douro-Kpindou O. K., I Godonou, A. Houssou, C. J. Lomer, and P. A. Sha (1995). “Control of Zonocerus variegatus with ULV formulation of Metharhizium anisopliai conidia.” Biological Science and Technology 5: 371–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douro-Kpindou, O. K., P. A. Sha, J. Langewald, C. J. Lomer. H. van der Paauw, A. Sidibé, and C. O. Daffé (1997). “Essais sur l'utilisation d'un biopesticide (Metarhizium flavoviride) pour le contrôle des sauteriaux au Mali de 1992 à 1994.” Journal of Applied Entomology 121: 285–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Houndekon V. and H. De Groote (1998). “Health Costs and Externalities of Pesticide Use in Locust and Grasshopper Control in the Sahel.” Paper presented at the annual conference of the American Agricultural Economics Association, August 2–5, 1998, Salt Lake City, Utah.

  • Institut National de la Statistique et de l'Analyse Economique (1998). Tableau de Bord Social: Profil social et indicateurs du developpement humain. Cotonou, Bénin: Ministère du Plan, de la Restructuration Economique et de la Promotion de l'Emploi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, N. E., G. Heviefo, J. Langewald, A. J. Cherry, and C. J. Lomer (1998). “Development of a mass production technology for aerial conidia of mitosporic fungi for use as mycopesticides.” Biocontrol Information and News Service 19: 21N-31N.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joffe S. R. (1995). “Desert Locust Management-a Time for Change.” World Bank Discussion Papers No. 284. Washington DC: The World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joffe S. R. (1997). “Economic and policy issues in desert locust management: a preliminary analysis.” Paper presented at the Workshop on Economics in Desert Locust Management, 21–22 September 1997, Cairo, Egypt. Rome: FAO, Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES) for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamara A., T. Defoer, and H. De Groote (1996). “Selection of New Varieties through Participatory Research, the Case of Corn in South Mali.” Tropicultura 14(3): 100–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kooyman C., R. Bateman, J. Langewald, C. Lomer, Z. Ouambama, and M. Thomas (1997). “Operational-scale application of entomopathogenic fungi for control of Sahelian grasshoppers.” Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B 264: 541–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krall S., O. Youm, and S. A. Kogo (1995). “Panicle insect pest damage and yield loss in pearl millet.” In K. F. Nwanze and O. Youm (eds.), Panicle Insect Pests of Sorgum and Pearl Millet: Proceedings of an International Consultative Workshop, 4–7 Oct. 1993, ICRISAT-Niamey. Andhra Pradesh, India (pp. 135–145). International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.

  • Langewald, J., Z. Ouambama, A. Mamadou, R. Peveling, I. Stolz, R. Bateman, S. Blanford, S. Arthurs, S. Attignon, and C. Lomer (1999). “Comparison of an organophosphate insecticide with a mycoinsecticide for the control of Oedaleus senegalensis (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and other Sahelian grasshoppers at an operational scale.” Biocontrol Science and Technology 9: 199–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomer C. J. (1997). “Metarhizium flavoviride: recent results in the control of locusts and grasshoppers.” In S. Krall, R. Peveling, and D. Ba Diallo (eds.), New Strategies in Locust Control (pp. 415–424). Basel, Switzerland: Birkhäuser Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomer, C. J. and C. Prior (eds.) (1992). Biological Control of Locusts and Grasshoppers. Proceedings of a workshop held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cotonou, Republic of Benin, 29 April-1 May 1991. Ascot, UK: CAB International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomer C. J., R. P. Bateman, D. L. Johnson, J. Langewald, and M. Thomas (2001). “Biological control of locusts and grasshoppers.” Annu. Rev. Entomol. 46: 667–702.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomer C. J., C. Prior, and C. Kooyman (1997). “Development of Metarhizium spp. for the control of locusts and grasshoppers.” Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 171: 265–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomer, C. J., R. P. Bateman, D. Dent, H. De Groote, O.-K. Douro-Kpindou, C. Kooyman, J. Langewald, Z. Ouambama, R. Peveling, and M. Thomas (1999). “Development of strategies for the incorporation of biological pesticides into the integrated management of locusts and grasshoppers.” Agricultural and Forest Entomology 1(1): 71–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lomer, C. J., D. Dent, and H. De Groote (1999). “Transferring biopesticide technology to the private sector-lessons learnt from LUBILOSA. IITA's role in relation to outreach and technology transfer; Participatory Plant Health Management.” LUBILOSA Socioeconomic working paper series no. 99/9, 10 pp. (presented to IITA Board of Trustees), March 1999 Ibadan, Nigeria.

  • Lomer, C. J., R. P. Bateman, I. Godonou, D. Kpindou, P. A. Shah, A. Paraïso, and C. Prior (1993). “Field infection of Zonocerus variegatus following application of an oil-based formulation of Metarhizium flavoviride conoidia.” Biocontrol Science and Technology 3: 337–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Louis Berger and Associates (1991). Environmental Concerns in USAID Programs for Locust and Grasshopper Control in Africa. Washington, DC: Office of Technical Resources, Bureau for Africa, publication series 91–F.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage du Niger (1996). Annuaire des statistiques de l'agriculture et de l'élevage 1991–1995. Niamey, Niger: Ministère de l'Agriculture et de l'Elevage, Direction des Etudes et de la Programmation, Service de l'Analyse des Politiques et de la Coordination des Statistiques.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modder W. W. E. (1994). “Control of the variegated grasshopper Zonocerus variegatus (L.) on cassava.” African Crop Science Journal 2(4): 391–406.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, D., C. Gbongboui, H. De Groote, R. Badou, and J. Langewald (2000). “Farmer participatory development of a control strategy for the variegated grasshopper with a bio-pesticide in the northern Mono, Bénin.” In G. Renard, S. Krieg, P. Lawrence and M. Von Oppen Markgraf (eds.), Farmers and Scientists in a Changing Environment: Assessing Research inWest Africa; Proceedings of a Regional Workshop, Cotonou, 22–26 February 1999, University of Hohenheim, Weikershei (pp. 22–26).

  • Page, W. W. and P. Richards (1977). “Agricultural pest control by community action: the case of the variegated grasshopper in southern Nigeria.” African Environment 2: 127–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paraïso A., C. J. Lomer, I. Godonou, and D. Kpindu (1992). “Preliminary studies on the ecology of Zonocerus variegatus in the Republic of Bénin.” In C. J. Lomer and C. Prior (eds.), Biological Control of Locusts and Grasshoppers (pp. 133–141). London: CAB International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peveling R., S. Attignon, J. Langewald, and Z. Ouambama (1999). “An assessment of the impact of biological and chemical grasshopper control agents on ground-dwelling arthropods in Niger, based on presence/absence sampling.” Crop Protection 18: 323–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peveling, R. and S. A. Damba (1997). “Virulence of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium flavoviride Gam. and Rozsypal and toxocity of diflubenzuron, fenitrothionesfenvalerate and profenos-cypermethrin to non-target arthropods in Mauretania.” Archives for Environmental contamination and Toxicology 32: 69–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • PLURITEC/EDUPLUS (1993). Estimation des coûts de protection des végétaux au Niger et évaluation de la capacité de prise en charge de ces activités par les différents niveaux d'interventions. Projet Nigero-Canadien Protection des Végétaux du Niger, Niamey, Niger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prior, C. and D. J. Greathead (1989). “Biological control of locusts: the potential for the exploitation of pathogens.” FAO Plant Protection Bulletin 37: 37–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rowley J. and O. Bennett (1993). Grasshoppers and Locusts. London: Panos Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shah, P. A., O.-K. Douro-Kpindou, A. Sidibe, C. O. Daffè, H. van der Pauw, and C. J. Lomer (1998). “Effects of the sunscreen oxybenzone on field efficacy and persistence of Metarhizium flavoviride conidia against Kraussella amabile (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Mali, West Africa.” Biocontrol Science and Technology 8: 357–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sperling L., M. E. Loevinsohn, and B. Ntabomvura (1993). “Rethinking the farmers' role in plant breeding: Local bean experts and on-station selection in Rwanda.” Experimental Agriculture 29: 509–519.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stonehouse J. M., C. Gbongui, A. de Groot, C. Lomer, S. Ly, I. Maïga, and Tijani (1997). “Grasshopper control in the Sahel: Farmer perceptions and participation.” Crop Protection 16(8): 733–741.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson D. (1997). “Economic feasibility of two technologies for production of my-copesticides in Madagascar.” Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada 171: 101–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) (1990). A Plague of Locusts-Special Report. OTA-F-450. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIMMYT, Nairobi, Kenya

    Hugo De Groote

  2. Locust and Grasshopper Biological Control Project (LUBILOSA), Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Benin

    Orou-Kobi Douro-Kpindou, Comlan Gbongboui, Dieter Müller, Serge Attignon & Chris Lomer

  3. Comité Permanent Interétats de Lutte contre la Sécheresse au Sahel (CILSS-AGRHYMET), Niamey

    Zakaria Ouambama

Authors
  1. Hugo De Groote
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Orou-Kobi Douro-Kpindou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zakaria Ouambama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Comlan Gbongboui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Dieter Müller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Serge Attignon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Chris Lomer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

De Groote, H., Douro-Kpindou, OK., Ouambama, Z. et al. Assessing the feasibility of biological control of locusts and grasshoppers in West Africa: Incorporating the farmers' perspective. Agriculture and Human Values 18, 413–428 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015266432589

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015266432589

Search

Navigation