Indigenous Crop Pest Management Techniques in Welo

Abstract

Crop production and pest management practices are centuries old activities for Welo farmers. Diagnostic surveys were conducted in several agro-ecologies o f Welo to identify the ways farmers protect crops from insect pests and diseases. Farmers in Welo have been engaged in a constant battle with crop pests and diseases in order to retain the majority o f the yield o f their crops. Hence, through their age-old observation, they have identified the major pests and diseases o f their crops. The knowledge-rich farmers in Welo have developed natural substances and methods as weapons in their fight against pests and diseases. Planting time adjustment, variety
selection, use o f fermented cattle and goat urine, use o f botanicals, and temperature maintenance during storage are some o f their weapons against field and storage pests and diseases. This paper will look into farmers' natural weapons against crop pests, which deserve the attention of researchers.