Farmers’ Attitude about Organic Pest Management Practices and Soil Biodiversity Conservation in Budondo Sub County, Jinja District

Abstract

Farmers’ attitudes have determined the choice of pest management method in Uganda. As a result of increased demand for food to cater for the increasing population, agricultural production has developed. Apparently, most of Ugandan farmers use inorganic pesticides and herbicides as the most effective and quick method of pest control. However these synthetic chemicals heavily contribute to soil biodiversity loss. A study of 340 households in Budondo Sub-County farming community, Jinja District revealed that pests affected crops and caused significant yield losses. This was manifested in their score of responses viz. strongly agreed (1175) and strongly agreed (1075) respectively. Farmers therefore sprayed their gardens with inorganic pesticides (81.8%) in order to eliminate pests quickly (86.5%). The study also revealed that organic pest management practices have not been adopted because of inadequate training, inadequate knowledge which was found significant at (χ² (77, n=340) =180.441, p< .001) and attitude significant at (χ² (99, n=340) =161.511, p< .001). The researcher therefore recommended the government of Uganda to make and adopt a policy and action plan on organic pest management for sustainable soil biodiversity conservation. Farmers in Budondo be actively involved, sensitized and trained about organic