Assessing the damages caused by papaya mealybug (paracoccus marginatus) and model farmers’ control strategies:

Abstract

This study assessed the damages caused by papaya mealybug (Paracoccus marginatus) and model farmers’ control strategies among the papaya farmers in Amach subcounty -Lira district. The objectives of this study were; main objective (to examine the damage caused by papaya mealybug (paracoccus marginatus) on papaya plant and control strategies used by farmers in Amach-Lira district.), specific objectives (to find out the damages caused by papaya mealybug on the leaves and fruits of papaya plant at different stages of growth and to find out model farmers’ control strategies against the papaya mealybug in Amach Subcounty -Lira district). A sample of 10 model farmers were chosen from the five different parishes using stratified and judgmental non-probability sampling techniques. Data was collected using structured questionnaire, oral interviews and observation using a check list. The data obtained was presented in tables and charts. This study found out that the fruiting stage was most affected by the papaya mealybug whereby the fruits were found to be more damaged as compared to leaves and the most commonly used control strategy was chemical strategy. Based on this study, I do recommend that; research should be done to identify the biological control agents of papaya mealybug, there is need to determine the extent of damage caused by papaya mealybug on papaya, there is need to sensitize farmers on the use of other control strategies such as the biological and integrated pest management strategies, and there is need to assess the effectiveness of different control measures of papaya mealybug. Key Words: Papaya, paracoccus marginatus, infestation, control strategies, model farmers.