Farmers’ Knowledge, Control Methods, and Challenges of Managing Bean Leaf Beetles (Ootheca spp.) in Uganda

Bean leaf beetles (BLBs) (Ootheca spp.) are important field insect pests of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in agricultural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. A survey of 128 farmers was conducted in Arua, Hoima, Lira, and Lwengo districts in Uganda, where the common bean is a major food and income crop. This paper evaluated farmers’ knowledge, control strategies, and challenges in managing BLBs. Over 87% of the farmers in Arua and Lira could identify BLBs by local names, compared to less than 45% in Hoima and Lwengo. Less than 8% of the farmers in all districts were aware that BLBs oviposit, diapause, and then emerge from the soil. Many farmers (75%) in Lwengo perceived BLBs infestation as mild, 65.6% in Hoima thought it was moderate, and 78% and 56% in Arua and Lira respectively thought it was severe. The use of chemicals was popular in all districts and also perceived to be the most effective method for controlling BLBs. The reported obstacles to controlling BLBs were a lack of understanding of proper control methods, and the existence of fake insecticides on the market. We recommend that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries customizes the agricultural extension information packages to include BLBs and cost-effective control strategies for them.