Tanzania IPM Project 02: Biological control of stemborers: A sustainable solution for smallholder maize and sorghum farmers in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Duration: 3 years (2002-2005)

Purpose: To increase food security by reducing crop losses through use of environmentally sound and economically sustainable pest management strategies with emphasis on biological control.

Background and description: Maize and sorghum are the most important cereals grown in Tanzania. Their productions are generally low due to several production constraints. Stemborers infestation is the main biotic constraints and stemborer species which include Chilo partellus, Buseola fusca, Sesamia calamists, Chilo orichacocilielus and Eldana saccharina are of economic importance and causes of yield losses varying between 20-80%. Chilo partellus is the most important pest of both maize and sorghum and is indigenous to Asia. Due to exotic origin of the Chilo partellus, biological control approach of the pest by use of an exotic parasitoid Cotesia flavipes was initiated. The approach was adopted due to the fact that biological control is cost effective, ecological and environmental safe and once established, the biocontrol agents are self-sustaining.

Agro-ecological zones: Eastern, Southern, Southern highlands, Central Lake and Northern zones in Tanzania.

Expected outputs: 1) Baseline surveys accomplished; 2) Pre-release surveys completed and parasitoid releases carried out; 3) Post-release surveys carried out and impact of natural enemies investigated; 4) Integration of biological control and other control tactics such as habitat management and host preference plants investigated and tested in farmers fields; 5) New parasitoid (Xanthopimpla stemmator) in addition to Cotesia flavipes released; 6) Scientists, extensionists and technicians trained on biological control; 7) Farmers trained on usefulness of biological control and encouraged to participate in biological control activities and awareness created among farmers and other stakeholders.

Potential impact and beneficiaries: Cereal growing farmers throughout the country are the primary beneficiaries of the immediate results from release of bioagents by obtaining higher maize and sorghum yields through reduced cereal stemborer infestations. The parasitoid C. flavipes has established in release site and spread to other non-release sites in farmers’ fields. The success will help reduce farmers cost on purchase of chemicals which are environmentally not safe. In addition, farmers are also profiting from higher maize/sorghum and milk productions obtained by integration of habitat management strategies in their fields.

Partners: International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), National Biological Control Program (NBCP)

Development Investors: Directorate General for International Cooperation of the Government of the Netherlands (DGIS)

Principal Investigators: Beatrice Pallangyo biocontrol@africaonline.tz ; NBCP Coordinator, C.O. Omwega ICIPE Regional Coordinator