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Smart, environment-friendly science can beat the
locusts -- Biological control is best bet for Africa (story
courtesy of IITA)
IBADAN, Nigeria: Renewed commitment from donors and a
more enlightened view of the value of environment-friendly,
biological control techniques could greatly reduce the use of many
synthetic, chemical pesticides in Africa. That is the
conclusion
drawn by IITA's Dr Peter Neuenschwander in a commentary
published recently in the prestigious science journal, Nature.
Dr Neuenschwander cites the current locust plague that is
sweeping northern and western Africa as a prime situation where
eco-friendly science could have made a difference.
Fifteen years ago, after the last great swarm was stopped with a
US$300 million chemical bombardment, a research consortium,
including IITA and CABI Bioscience, developed a biological
pesticide that selectively attacked locusts and grasshoppers while
leaving other living things untouched. The eco-friendly Green
Muscle(tm) showed great promise but once the science had been
demonstrated, donor interest waned. Unfortunately many other
obstacles to the production and deployment of the
environment-friendly pesticide remain.
"One of the biggest hurdles has been the perception that
biological control is not a true alternative to synthetic
pesticides," says Dr Neuenschwander. "But this is simply
not true." Biological control methods have already proven
themselves extremely effective in Africa. For example, one study of
27 African countries estimates that the control of the cassava
mealybug by a parasitic wasp imported from Latin America has saved
US$8-20 billion in crop losses since it was first deployed 20 years
ago. Cassava is the major starch staple for more than 100 million
Africans and the mealybug destroyed up to 40% of cassava yields.
Similarly, eco-friendly control agents for water hyacinth and the
mango mealybug have had huge economic consequences argues Dr
Neuenschwander.
The reduction in damage to the environment that would have been
caused by synthetic chemical solutions is incalculable.
"Implementation of eco-friendly options requires political
will and public support," says Dr Neuenschwander. "With a
clear vision... and good leadership many countries could adopt this
approach today."
Typhlodromalus manihoti serves as biological control
agent against the cassava green mite.
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Anagyrus lopezi, an encyrtid wasp serves as biological
control agent against the cassava mealybug
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Schistocerca gregaria, a highly destructive desert locust
attacks major food crops in Africa
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pictures courtesy of IITA.
Biological Control
Brief (IITA)
Biological
Control Case Study - Desert Locust (IITA)
Biological
Control Case Study - Cassava Green Mite (IITA)
Biological
Control Case Study - Cassava Mealybug (IITA)
Biological Control
: other successes: mango mealybug, water hyacinth, cowpea thrips,
water lettuce (IITA)
Peter
Neuenschwander Biography (IITA)
"Harnessing
Nature in Africa" | Nature | Vol. 432| 16 December
2004|
IITA is a center of excellence for agricultural research for the
development of Africa. Its goal is to enhance, in a sustainable and
environmentally friendly way, the livelihoods, well being, and food
security of millions of Africans.
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