Project Lead(s): Basiliana Emidi
Maize is a vital food and feed grain worldwide.
Insect pest damage in the field and in stored maize grains results in major economic losses in Tanzania. Infestation of maize commences in the field, but most of the damage occurs during storage, due to maize weevil infestation.
This project was implemented in Tanzania, and aimed to develop an affordable and acceptable natural pesticide for pre- and post-harvest of maize grain.
To achieve this goal, several activities were undertaken:
· Exploring indigenous knowledge, attitudes and practices for the pre- and post- harvest treatment of crops, with emphasis on maize grains
· Developing a natural pesticide for controlling maize weevils in the stored maize grains
· Conducting a semi-field trial for the developed natural pesticide, to determine the desired treatment ratios and efficacy.
The knowledge, attitudes and practices for traditional ways of treating the stored maize grains among rural and peri-urban maize farmers and traders have been successfully documented.
The natural pesticide (NIMR-PEC®) for control of maize weevil infestation in stores has been successfully developed and piloted in the four-month trial.
NIMR-PEC as a brand has been registered at BRELA and the process of patenting this natural pesticide in underway.
Scaling up of the project will involve securing registration and a permit from the Tropical Pesticide Research Institute (TPRI), to initiate a field trial involving maize farmers and traders in selected sites.