Human and technical dimensions of potato IPM using farmer field schools: CIP and partners' experience with potato late blight management

Authors: ORTIZ, OSCAR - International Potato Center; NELSON, REBECCA - Cornell University; Olanya, Modesto; THIELE, GRAHAM - International Potato Center; ORREGO, RICARDO - International Potato Center

Submitted to: Journal of Integrated Pest Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/19/2019
Publication Date: 2/28/2019
Citation: Ortiz, O., Nelson, R., Olanya, O.M., Thiele, G., Orrego, R. 2019. Human and technical dimensions of potato IPM using farmer field schools: CIP and partners' experience with potato late blight management. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. 10(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmz002.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmz002

Interpretive Summary: The International Potato Center (CIP)’s integrated pest management team for potato late blight (IPM-LB) addressed management of potato disease by combining crop protection with social and behavioral sciences in a multi-institutional collaboration. The objectives were to increase farmers knowledge and practices on pest and crop management, improve participatory cultivar evaluation, the diffusion of knowledge and technology, and crop yield. From early 2000, the CIP team worked with research and development organizations (government and NGOs) in Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Uganda, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru to develop and implement farmer discovery-based learning methods in crop and pest resistance management, new cultivar evaluation and yield improvements. The FFS approach was used to diffuse knowledge and technologies and crop management techniques to farmers and development agencies using participatory methods. FFS-IPM-LB manuals were developed, published and utilized by potato farmers. Farmers learned new techniques, assessed new potato clones and cultivars, and improved crop yield. Potato production increased by 32% and farmer’s income in Peru and the other countries also increased from successful adoption of methods and improved cultivar deployment. Significant impacts of the approach were registered in diverse crops (coffee, cocoa, and fruit trees) and livestock in Peru, Uganda, Ethiopia and Bolivia, and to a lesser extent Bangladesh and China. FFS and participatory research significantly contributed to improved-livelihoods of resource-constrained farmers with cultivar adoptions, technology and knowledge diffusions, and multi-institutional collaborations.

Technical Abstract: Starting in the 1990’s, the International Potato Center (CIP)’s integrated pest management team for potato late blight (IPM-LB) realized the importance of addressing potato disease by combining crop protection with social and behavioral sciences. Since the early 2000’s, CIP team worked with research and development organizations (government and NGO partners) in Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Uganda, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru to develop farmer discovery-based learning methods using Farmer Field Schools (FFS). They tested late blight (LB) management options for new potato clones and cultivars with different resistance to the disease. CIP and partners adapted the FFS approach to facilitate farmers’ access to information, knowledge and technologies. Several FFS-IPM-LB manuals were developed, published and used to train and conduct participatory research with farmers. Farmers learned new knowledge, assessed new potato clones, and IPM options in a participatory method. Technology adoption was reflected in 32% mean increase in potato production and income in Peru, and similar changes occurred in the other countries. Additionally, participatory research and training had significant impact beyond potato IPM-LB as the approach were implemented in diverse crops (coffee, cocoa, fruit trees) and livestock and countries. In Peru, about 1500 FFS were implemented between 2005 and 2012, and in Uganda and Ethiopia it expanded to potato seed management as seed cooperatives were formed and cultivars released. The partners in FFS included: Peru (CARE, CIP, local Universities), Bolivia (PROINPA Foundation, the NGO ASAR), Ecuador (INIAP, CIP), Uganda (NARO, AFRICARE), Ethiopia (EIAR, SHDI), Bangladesh (Tuber Crop Research Center, CARE), China (CIP, Chongqing Plant Protection Institute). This international collaboration greatly impacted pest and crop management.