A survey of insect pest problems and stored product protection in stored maize in Ethiopia in the year 2000

摘要

In seven regional states of Ethiopia, in 44 districts and 63 villages, 115 farmers were interviewed in summer 2000, and samples were taken from their maize stores. Most farmers, of which 44 % were illiterate, owned 0.8 to 2.7 ha of land, and two oxen. In the stores, Prostephanus truncatus was not found, but 25 other pest species. Of these were of regular importance: Sitotraga cerealella and Sitophilus zeamais. Plodia interpunctella, Tribolium sp., Cryptolestes spp., and rats were of minor importance. The average percentage of damaged grains was 29.3, the average percent yield loss 5.6. Synthetic insecticides were used by 70 out of 100 farmers, but 66 % of these could not say which preparations they had been using. DDT was used by 16 %, Malathion by 10 % and Actellic by 6 %. The stores were mostly not in an optimal condition. Of the farmers, 18 mixed maize with tef (Eragrostis tef) in the stores, to prevent infestation by pests. But in general, the knowledge on traditional measures of stored product protection was low. The problems arising from the findings are discussed.