DOI : 10.26480/aedc.01.2025.50.54

ABSTRACT

With the aim to assess farmer’s knowledge on fall armyworm and management practices adopted by farmers, the study was carried out in the Satyawati, Chandrakot and Chatrakot rural municipality and Musikotmunicipality of Gulmi district of Nepal. By using purposive sampling, 100 household were selected for the questionnaire interview. This study highlights 87% of farmers have over 20 years of experience in maize cultivation. Most farmers rely on traditional methods, planting local varieties (53%) and saving seeds from their own production (55%). While these practices help preserve traditional agriculture, they limit the adoption of improved seed varieties that could enhance pest resistance and yields. While 55% can identify the pest, 45% struggle to differentiate it from similar pests such as maize stem borer, which may hinder effective management strategies. Despite acknowledging FAW’s impact, 45% of farmers do not implement any pest management practices. Among those who do, only 25% use insecticides, with many relying on low input methods like collecting eggs and larvae (15%) and using plant-based solutions mainly Neem-based(15%). Irrigation practices reveal a heavy dependence on natural sources, as 58% of farmers rely solely on rainfall for summer maize cultivation. Only 22% have access to concrete canal irrigation, and 20% utilize traditional irrigation, making them vulnerable to climate fluctuations that could worsen pest problems. Fellow farmers were the primary source of information about FAW for 48% of respondents, underscoring the importance of peer knowledge-sharing. Although 52% of farmers perceive that less than 25% of their cultivated area is affected by FAW, this perception may lead to carelessness in pest management. High costs and the untimely availability of insecticides are major concerns while pest identification is seen as a lesser issue. Farmers express a strong preference for hands-on learning methods, particularly field trials and demonstrations, suggesting that practical education would be more effective in enhancing their pest management skills. This study underscores the need for management strategies that align with farmers’ needs and priorities, providing a valuable baseline for policymakers to develop sustainable pest management strategies.