The impact of fall armyworm on subsistence farmers in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Africa experienced major fall armyworm outbreaks (Spodoptera frugiperda), which caused direct damage by feeding on farmers’ crops across the continent. This study gauged the impacts of fall armyworms on a subsistence rural farming community in the Limpopo Province of South Africa by first looking at the farmers’ knowledge of this worm infestation. The study further assessed these impacts by determining the mental health and economic implications of the fall armyworm on the community while also looking at the chemical control of the fall armyworm on the farms studied. Lastly, the study assessed the impact of the fall armyworms on the food security of the farmers and their families. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect the data and applied several Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and one ordinal Regression to analyse the data for this study with a sample size of 82. Our study revealed the profound impacts of fall armyworm infestations on four pillars of food security by showing the reduction in crop yield and diversity, increased financial strain on households, deterioration of food quality, and instability in the food supply. All these indicate the need for comprehensive strategies to manage pests that also consider the broader implications for food security and livelihoods. The findings also revealed early signs of psychological distress among farmers, particularly anxiety linked to repeated fall armyworm infestations. There is also a pressing need for policy interventions to provide immediate relief and preparedness strategies to strengthen the resilience of agricultural food systems for rural subsistence farmers. Also, these strategies should ensure responsive food security programs.

Keywords

• Pests
• Spodoptera frugiperda
• Farmers
• Crops
• Impacts