Integrated management of the Fall Armyworm on …

1 Fall Army worm FAW, a dangerous transboundar y pest native to the Americas, has been spreading rapidly to all sub-regions of Africa since 2016, causing significant damage to crops. Farmer education and community action are critical elements in the strategy to best manage FAW populations, using an Integrated and ecological pest management approach. Farmer Field School (FFS), a holistic farmer education approach used in over 90 countries, will be a key component of the response effort.

2 This guide seeks to provide guidance on how to conduct FFS on the Integrated and sustainable management of the FAW in Africa, with emphasis on maize as FAW s preferred host plant. It provides information on the biology and ecology of FAW; field studies and exercises for use in season-long Farmer Field Schools; and suggestions on how to build a training programme for rural advisory services/extension on FAW and FFS refresher courses of Master Trainers and management of the Fall Armyworm on maize A guide for Farmer Field Schools in AfricaCMYCMMYCYCMYKI ntegrated management of the Fall Armyworm on maizeA guide for Farmer Field Schools in AfricaFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Rome.

3 2018 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.

4 The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-130493-8 FAO, 2018 FAO encourages the use, reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Except where otherwise indicated, material may be copied, downloaded and printed for private study, research and teaching purposes, or for use in non-commercial products or services, provided that appropriate acknowledgement of FAO as the source and copyright holder is given and that FAO s endorsement of users views, products or services is not implied in any way.

5 All requests for translation and adaptation rights, and for resale and other commercial use rights should be made via or addressed to information products are available on the FAO website ( ) and can be purchased through publication has been printed using selected products and processes so as to ensure minimal environmental impact and to promote sustainable forest cover photo: G. Goergen, IITA Concept design and cover: Gabriele Zanolli Internal design: Anastasia ClaffertyiiiiiiContentsAcknowledgements viAcronyms and abbreviations viiBackground 1 PART A.

6 TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON THE FALL Armyworm Frequently asked questions on the Fall Armyworm Biology-ecology and identification of the Fall Armyworm Recognizing and understanding the Fall Armyworm .. Differentiating the Fall Armyworm from other worms .. Promising management options for the Fall Armyworm Seeds and varieties .. Crop management .. Plant diversity .. Diversity on farm reduces Fall Armyworm infestation and supports natural enemies .. Push-pull technology .. Mechanical control and local controls.

7 Biological control of the Fall Armyworm .. Naturally-occurring bio-control agents .. Use of introduced bio-control agents .. Biopesticides .. Botanical pesticides for Fall Armyworm management .. Synthetic pesticides .. What are pesticides? .. Pesticide toxicity .. Pesticide exposure .. Selection of pesticides: are all pesticides the same? .. Avoid the use of highly hazardous pesticides on the Fall Armyworm .. Pesticide contamination of the environment- water, soil, air .. and food.

8 Economic limitations of pesticides as a management option ..42 Fall Armyworm management Simple guide for smallholders 44 PART B: FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS FOR FALL Armyworm Integrated PEST management Key Principles of Integrated Pest management in Farmer Field Schools What do trainers and farmers need to know about the Fall Armyworm What skills and knowledge are needed to manage the Fall Armyworm ? .. What do farmers need to know to best manage the Fall Armyworm ? .. What do Farmer Field School facilitators need to know to implement FFS that integrates Integrated Pest management for the Fall Armyworm ?

9 Building capacity for Fall Armyworm Integrated Pest management : Farmer Field Schools and short trainings Some questions to ask to identify the most appropriate training modalities .. Integrating Fall Armyworm Integrated Pest management into the Farmer Field School curriculum .. Short courses using non-formal adult education approaches and discovery-learning .. Short refresher courses and season-long Training of Facilitators .. Farmer Field School field studies for Fall Armyworm management Effect of different maize production practices on Fall Armyworm management .

10 Maize intercropping Push-pull intercropping in maize studies .. Effects of planting dates on Fall Armyworm infestation and yield loss .. Effects of nitrogen fertilization rates and manure on levels of Fall Armyworm infestation and yield loss .. Scouting and observations Agro-EcoSystem Analysis in maize with special emphasis on the Fall Armyworm .. Scouting for the Fall Armyworm .. Special topics Insect zoos: lifecycle of the Fall Armyworm .. Insect zoo: the role of natural enemies (farmer friends).