Impact of Adoption of Improved Integrated Pest Management Practices in the Suppression of Mango Fruit Fly Infestation in Embu County Kenya

Abstract

Fruit fly infestation is the most limiting constraint in mango production in Kenya. To enhance the suppression of this invasive pest, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology developed an auto-dissemination technique to be integrated into the existing integrated pest management (IPM) components. This study aimed to assess the impact of adopting the improved IPM in the suppression of mango fruit flies in Embu County using a two-period panel data. Using a Correlated Random Effects Probit Model to analyse the drivers of IPM adoption overtime, the study reports that the perceived quality of IPM enhances adoption of the technology. To assess the factors influencing dis-adoption of IPM, the study implemented a Discrete-time Proportional Hazard Model, and the results revealed that the perceived unavailability of the technology discourages the farmers from adoption. The study fitted a difference in difference (DiD) model to estimate the impact of integrating auto-dissemination with the conventional IPM on three outcome variables such as, mango net income, expenditure on pesticides and the proportion of post-harvest losses. Impact was differentiated by three treated groups of mango farmers; farmers treated with male annihilation technique (MAT), auto-dissemination technique farmers (ADT), MAT+ADT farmers and the control group. The combination technique (MAT + ADT) showed an increase net mango income of Kshs. 42,960 per acre, expenditure of pesticides decreased by Kshs. 7,226 per acre and proportion of post-harvest losses by 27.18% reduction. The study recommends integration of ADT into the existing conventional fruit fly IPM components to enhance the suppression of the invasive pest. In addition, IPM tailored-based training should be encouraged as a way of enhancing the adoption and preventing the dis-adoption of IPM technology