Farmer’s knowledge, attitude and practice on rodent management in lowland irrigated rice in Central-eastern Tanzania
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Research Journal
Abstract
Rodents are one of the major factors limiting crop production in Central-eastern Tanzania. A
quantitative study was conducted at Hembeti village to obtain information on knowledge, attitude and
practice of villagers with respect to rodent management. Structured questionnaires were
administered to 30 randomly selected farmers and the results obtained were analysed by the SPSS
Ver. 12 Computer programme. It was revealed that 80-90% of the farmers cultivate maize and paddy in
small fields ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 acres. Rodents were reported to be the leading pests causing 20-
60% crop losses both in fields and stores yearly. Methods used to assess presence of rodents in the
area included presence of burrows and unearthed seedlings in fields and damaged grains and rodent
noises in stores. It was further found out that farmers were responsible for control of rodents and that
53% and 47 % were using rodenticides and physical killing methods respectively. Financial
constraints were reported to be the major factors limiting farmers to acquire and apply rodenticides.
Need for training farmers on other management methods basing on ecological approaches was
recommended.
Description
Journal of Plant Science.
Keywords
Management., Rodents., Knowledge., Attitude ., Practice.