First report of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Onion (Allium cepa L.) in South Kivu, Eastern DR Congo

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith, 1797), has become one of the most devastating pests in the world with diverse host range. To develop effective integrated management strategies against S. frugiperda, it is crucial to know its alternative host plants. In this study, we provide the first information on the occurrence of S. frugiperda in onion crops in Africa. Monitoring was carried out during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons in onion monoculture and in intercropping with groundnut to detect the presence and assess the incidence of S. frugiperda. The highest average incidence (2.88%) and larval density (0.79 per 9 m2) were observed in onion monoculture. The classification of the onion leaf damage rating scale indicated low S. frugiperda infestation. This suggests that future studies will need to assess this aspect which we consider to be a survival strategy to maintain its population throughout the year, which contributes to sustain the insect in the study area during times when its preferred hosts are not present. Furthermore, genetic studies are needed to provide a better explanation of the ecology of this pest and to find out which of the two existing strain infests onions or whether it is an unknown hybrid population of S. frugiperda

Evaluation of the productivity of seven varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum) through integrated soil fertility management in Kaziba, South Kivu, DR Congo

Due to high demand for food resources as a result of increasing population, the promotion of large-scale crops such as wheat has become essential. Unfortunately, soil infertility and a lack of improved seed are major constraints on the expansion of this crop in Kaziba, a mountainous rural area in South Kivu. The productivity of seven wheat varieties (Farari, Kayira, Kima, Lokale, Mbega, Nyumbu and Popo) was evaluated under organic and mineral fertilizer during the 2013-2014 crop season on poor soil in South Kivu (DR Congo). NPK 17-17-17, farmyard manure and their combination were applied as fertilizers in a split-plot trial design with three replications. The observations focused on the growth and yield parameters, and the results revealed differences between varieties, treatments and interactions. The NPK + farmyard manure treatment gave the highest mean yield (1317.2 kg), Kayira was the most productive variety (1584.2 kg), and the interaction Kayira X farmyard manure was the most effective (2874.9 kg). The variety Kayira would seem to be indicated, with farmyard manure as the recommended fertilizer, being locally accessible and easily usable for promoting wheat in the region

Post-harvest constraints of Solanaceae species produced in Kabare Wetlands, Estern Democratic Republic of Congo.

peer reviewedThe Kabare territory wetlands produced a significant quantity of solanaceous crops (potato, tomato and eggplant, etc.). One of the observations is the fact that significant losses are being observed during production and mostly after harvesting. The objective of this study was to assess the post-harvest constraints of the main solanaceous crops grown in these wetlands. A survey was carried out among 225 randomly selected households from four wetlands that lied down six districts to characterize the producers, identify the post-harvest techniques used and the constraints observed. Samples of solanaceous products were preserved for 15 days according to the local preservation techniques used to evaluate their effectiveness. The results showed that the producers face numerous post-harvest constraints of three types: structural, technical, and technological. These constraints a varied from value chain actor group to another. Most of the methods used by producers were mostly classified as moderately effective, and did not allow the quality of the products to be preserved, while quantitative losses remained very significant high. Besides, other external factors such as environmental and socio-economic factors contributed significantly also to these losses. Much losses are observed on tomato than on potato and eggplant; only a few preservation methods were classified as effective, notably tuber sorting (– 60%), the use of ice cubes (– 65%), and the use of pesticides (– 70%). Methods such as spreading out in a corner of the house (60%) and storage in the bag (50%) were classified as less effective for more than half by the farmers. Although suffering significant losses, these solanaceous crops provided important household income and thus contributed to food security in the area. Crop production and preservation have to be improved while effective production practices in Kabare and South-Kivu wetlands, eastern of DR Congo, have to be implemented

Typology of smallholder’s pig production systems in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo: Challenges and opportunities

Pig farming plays an important role in farmers’ livelihoods in many tropical countries. It contributes to food security of the poorest as well as the development of rural economy through multiplier effects. In the South Kivu province, pig farms are almost exclusively owned by smallholders. A few studies have attempted to describe thoroughly pig farming systems in this province. This study was undertaken to characterise pig production systems, in order to better understand their current situation, namely constraints they face and opportunities they offer. Investigation was conducted based on a structured survey questionnaire and participatory interviews with the owners of 989 farms in South-Kivu. Collected data was analysed using Multiple Correspondence Analysis and clustering techniques. Results showed that there are two types of smallholder pig farms differing mainly in the type of husbandry and feeding management. One category includes farms that raise pigs in free-range system consuming forages and scavenge feed (heaps picked-up from garbage and trash on their ways), which are sometimes, combined with crop residues and kitchen leftovers. The second category includes improved pig farms raising tethered pigs or in lairage where feed is mostly based on forages combined with kitchen leftovers, crop residues and concentrate feed. Nevertheless, all these different farm types share many common characteristics, including having pigs of local breeds, small herd sizes, absence of breeding boars and absence of adequate prophylactic measures. It emerged that female farmers together with experienced farmers mainly own pig farms with better characteristics (breed type, management practices, litter size, etc.). Hence, the involvement of women in pig farming can offer better prospects for the improvement of this sector. In addition, access to agricultural credit can also be an alternative to foster investment in livestock in South Kivu. All this can only lead to better results though improved local market access to smallholder producers

Socio-economic drivers of improved sweet potato varieties adoption among smallholder farmers in South-Kivu Province, DR Congo

Promotion of improved crop varieties is an effective means of increasing farm productivity and alleviating poverty in rural areas. A successful dissemination of such varieties requires a deep understanding of target farmers’ attitudes, preferences and socio-economic status. This study aimed at assessing factors linked to smallholder farmers’ adoption decision for improved sweet potato varieties (ISPVs) in South-Kivu. A household survey was conducted on 360 smallholder farmers from four South-Kivu territories, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including Idjwi, Kabare, Kalehe and Walungu, and data were analyzed using a logit regression model. The adoption decision was negatively affected by farmers’ age and the field-to-house distance. In contrast, the ISPVs adoption was favored by farmers’ education level, reduced farm size, off-farm incomes, high monthly income and use of hired farm labor. Besides, farmers’ cooperative membership, access to credit and planting materials, and contacts with extension services were instrumental in adopting improved sweet potato varieties in South-Kivu. This study highlighted the need to strengthen extension services, seed delivery systems, and amending the credit systems for increased impact on improved varieties adoption among South-Kivu sweet potato farmers