IITA trains extension agents and agro-input dealers on Integrated Pests Management for cowpea production
Through the Feed the Future Nigeria Integrated Agriculture Activity, IITA recently trained extension agents and agro-input dealers in Adamawa and Borno States on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques for cowpea production.
IPM Spray demonstration at the training in Biu Borno State.
The training exposed participants to a pest control system that does not depend on the automatic application of pesticides; instead, the IPM regulates pests using various control measures, including mechanical, cultural, and biological. The IPM focuses on pest management that integrates all suitable techniques with the natural regulating systems barring environmental and health injury.
The training, which lasted for two days in each state, had in attendance a total of 102 participants (59 in Adamawa: 32 extension agents and 27 input dealers—36 male and 23 female; and 43 in Borno: 23 extension agents and 20 input dealers—38 male and five female).
IITA Senior Systems Agronomist, Nkeki Kamai, facilitating the IPM training in Yola, Adamawa State
The training recipients will transfer the knowledge to cowpea farmers, aggregators, and off-takers in the two states. This will, among other things, reduce or eliminate the health hazards on consumers of cowpea due to the unhealthy practices of storing cowpea with dangerous chemicals to prevent insect infestation.
