Study Oncochineal and its Effect on Cactus Production Hintalo Wejerat Wereda, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2019-09-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Now days, cochineal infestation problem is the burning issue in cactus growing areas as it has most devastating effect on fruit and forage production of the crop. The purpose of the study was
To Share experience about practice of reducing infested area in the implementation with other none infested area. Second the study will serve as an input for other interested researchers who want to conduct further study on the issue. Secondly, the study would be helpful for the community to suggest possible options. Data gathered were analyzed through descriptive percentage and frequency. Wereda was selected through non-probability (purposely) namely Hiwane, Adikeyh, Tsehafti and Fikrealem and selected in terms of the cochineal infected area.The study involved total of 161 respondents out of these (six) were either hesitant to complete the questionnaires or unhappy to fill out questionnaires finally 155 have been filled the questioner. Respondents representative were selected namely, cactus pear project coordinators kebelle households (local communities.)Maheber Wejerat association and youth.. According the majority of respondents that Cochineal insect has already become a serious pest spreading at a fastest rate and is highly damaging the cactus plants in the region with no effective solutions discovered yet. The results showed that the interest of the communities in the introduction of cochineal insect believed as an introduction of disease to the cactus pear production Most of the respondents cochineal infested area, were not satisfied with action plans and were pessimistic about the effectiveness of the control Options and the opinion that cochineal cannot be eradicated through mechanical and chemical means.
Based on the finding of the study, the researcher, drawn the following conclusions the immediate solution to bring food security especially in drought prone areas is working with cactus.
Based on the results of the study, the recommendations are forwarded: Awareness or Consulted before the expansion of the insect to the locality area. Mechanical and chemical control with human labor might work for a small farm. Establishing intra-regional quarantine (enforcement), to limit the movement of cactus planting materials, fruits to new areas, Establishing/ strengthening regional plant and animal quarantine offices no more effective
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Keywords
Cactus, Cochineal Introduction, Abundance of Cactus