KwaZulu Natal Regional Agricultural Policy (RAP) EDF 11 Project Report

Abstract

Transboundary plant pests and pathogens damage cultivated and naturally growing plants by interfering with their growth that can lead to substantial losses for farmers and threaten food security. Projects on general surveillance provide growers and the broader public with information about pests and encourages them to report of any unusual symptoms on crops. Northern KwaZulu Natal was targeted for 5 priority pests. The activities to determine pest presence involved scouting for symptoms, collecting samples for diagnostic analysis and use of trap to lure pests to verify their presence within an area. Of the five priority pests only 3 were found to be present. The insect plant pests were the ones detected due to their mobile ability to spread at a higher rate. Plant pest control measures are important to maintain good health of plants. Field observations also provide essential information that could assist on pest management e.g. cultural methods. This project was highly valuable in concluding the interventions that farmers could utilise to protect their crops.