Rwanda Government gives priority to agriculture for economic growth. Due to high population and small plot per household, increase in crop production is expected to be achieved through increased productivity rather than expansion of area. Crop productivity is a function of productivity enhancing agricultural technologies and pest management to reduce crop losses in store and fields. In order to achieve this objective, farmers decision making and pest management should target using appropriate and timely pest and disease management tools. The farmers should have a clear understanding of requirements conditions and techniques for producing health plant, pests and diseases status, their survival mechanisms and management methods that are available to make a timely and informed decision.
The development objective of the Rural Sector Support Project III (RSSP-3) is to strengthen the participation of women and men beneficiaries in market-based value chains and increase the agricultural productivity of organized farmers in the marshlands and hillsides of sub-watersheds targeted for development in an environmentally sustainable manner; and . In order to achieve the latter, the Government of Rwanda and the World Bank agreed during the preparation of RSSP-3, to apply the World Bank's Operational Policy on Pest Management (OP 4.09), which is an environmental safeguard policy for promoting safe pesticide use and the use of integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce crop losses due to pest damage. This policy requires putting in place a Pest Management Plan (PMP) and structure for adoption of IPM and safe use of pesticides.
The PMP under RSSP-3 will focus on intensification of 13 target crops including five crops namely, rice, maize, potato, cassava, and tomato of RSSP-2 and 8 more namely bananas, wheat, cabbage, carrots, green beans, onions, pineapple and mushroom. These are important crops produced by small scale farmers or cooperatives. Main pest problems include diseases, insect pests and vectors. The application of PMP will promote the use of IPM in insect pest management and where necessary the safe use of pesticides as a component of IPM approach.
Currently, the use of pesticides in Rwanda is very limited and is primarily used with some cash crops, particularly coffee, potato and tomato. A limited quantity is also used for the protection of the stored food products. In general, pesticide use in Rwanda target mainly plant diseases management and nearly 75 % are fungicides, while the remaining 25% is composed of different insecticides and a few herbicides. Among the fungicides imported, more than 90% of the products are Mancozeb and Ridomil which are applied to potato and tomato against the late blight (Phytophtora Infestans).
Among the target crops of RSSP-3, pesticides, and particularly fungicides, are expected to be used as a part of IPM mainly in disease management; especially for late blight (Phytophthora infestans) of potato and tomato, and in rice against rice blast (Pericularia orizae). While pesticides will be used in cabbage production, however, it will require close monitoring and training of farmers on safe pesticide use and IPM strategies. When feasible, research on biological of Diamondback moth (DBM) will be initiated and collaboration with ICIPE in Nairobi, Kenya establish for natural enemy of DBM release and monitoring establishment.
Management of pests and diseases in other target crops as well as other insect pests in general will use a variery of IPM approaches with less or no pesticides.
The PMP will address the weaknesses of safe pesticide use through training of various stakeholders along the supply and use chain since the knowledge of different pesticides and awareness of the negative impacts is low among sellers, users and extension agents of pesticides.
The PMP will address the weaknesses of safe pesticide use through training of various stakeholders along the supply and use chain since the knowledge of different pesticides and awareness of the negative impacts is low among sellers, users and extension agents of pesticides.
The PMP implementation monitoring will include monthly meetings and reporting of achievements and constraints. The pest management capacity of RSSP-3 will be supported and strengthened by recruiting expert consultants. The tentative program for the first project year provides the structure of the PMP, and will provide a view of the implementation of the PMP at the end of year.
World Bank.Author:Rukazambuga Ntirushwa Daniel.Document Date:2011/11/28.Document Type:Environmental Assessment. Report Number:E2896
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