Biology and Life Sciences Forum (Oct 2023)

A Roadmap for Sustainable Disease, Pest, and Weed Management

  • Frank Yeboah Adusei,
  • Mavis Afriyie Adusei,
  • Benjamin Lartey

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/IECAG2023-14989
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 27, no. 1
p. 24

Abstract

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Effective disease, pest, and weed control are essential for achieving sustainable agricultural practices. The ever-growing global population, coupled with the increasing demand for food, poses a significant challenge to agriculture systems globally. To address this challenge sustainably, farmers must employ effective disease, pest, and weed control measures that minimize the negative impacts on the environment, human health, and biodiversity. This study investigates the impact of innovative control methods on agricultural productivity, focusing on 30 farmers (21 male and 9 female) in the Bosome Freho District of Ghana. The goal of this research is to offer scalable solutions to maximize crop yields while reducing the use of environmentally-unfriendly agro-chemicals. This study employed a participatory approach, engaging farmers in the co-creation and implementation of sustainable control measures. Through a combination of integrated pest management techniques, biological control, and cultural practices, farmers were able to significantly reduce the prevalence of diseases, pests, and weeds on their fields. The results demonstrate a remarkable improvement in crop health, with increased yield and quality observed across various crops, such as maize, pepper, and plantain. The scalability of these achieved results is a key highlight, as the implemented strategies are easily transferable to other farms within the Bosome Freho District and beyond. The innovative nature of this study lies in the collaborative approach, which incorporates traditional knowledge and modern agricultural techniques, thereby bridging the gap between traditional and sustainable farming practices. This study proposes workable ways to increase agricultural productivity while safeguarding the environment and ensuring the long-term viability of farming communities by tackling the key issue of disease, pest, and weed control in a sustainable manner.

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