The Challenges and Economic Importance of Pests as it Affects Sustainability of Horticultural Farmers of Thulamela Municipality in Vhembe District of Limpopo South Africa

International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science

© 2021 by SSRG - IJAES Journal

Volume 8 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2021

Authors : Rendani Thovhogi, Elliot M. Zwane, Johan A.Van Niekerk

10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V8I1P103

How to Cite?

Rendani Thovhogi, Elliot M. Zwane, Johan A.Van Niekerk, "The Challenges and Economic Importance of Pests as it Affects Sustainability of Horticultural Farmers of Thulamela Municipality in Vhembe District of Limpopo South Africa," SSRG International Journal of Agriculture & Environmental Science, vol. 8,  no. 1, pp. 11-16, 2021. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942568/IJAES-V8I1P103

Abstract:

The fruit and vegetable industry is threatened by many different types of pests; these pests negatively impact the industry. Pests such as fruit flies play a major role in reducing the quantity and quality of fruits and vegetables by threatening their production and marketability. The economic importance of the horticultural crops is also affected. The study targeted a population of 133 smallholder farmers that produce fruits and vegetables in the Thulamela Municipality. The study's objective was to investigate the challenges and economic importance of pests as it affects the sustainability of horticultural farmers of Thulamela Municipality in Vhembe district of Limpopo, South Africa. The majority (99%) of the respondents indicated that fruit flies affect their income because fruit flies cause loss of marketable products; sometimes, this is exacerbated by market restrictions, high production inputs, production of poor quality products, etc., the number of products produced. The study concludes with the following recommendations; firstly, there is a need to develop more adaptive and sustainable pest management strategies that would not require farmers to spend more money on production inputs. Secondly, there is a need to develop and disseminate information on quarantine pest and another pest of concern; disseminating information can do this to farmers through mass media such as radio programs and TV channels, and other relevant platforms.

Keywords:

Pest, quarantine pest, pest constraints

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