Farmer field trials of integrated pest management in North Malaita, Solomon Islands, using a participatory technology development approach

摘要

As shifting cultivation in Malaita, Solomon Islands, comes under increasing pressure, farmers are facing an increasing array of plant pest problems--especially on important food crops. Women farmers with little formal education are responsible for most of the agriculture for family food production in Malaita. Appropriate Technology for Community and Environment Inc. (APACE) has facilitated a situation analysis and a process of participatory rural appraisal awareness over a number of years. This has led to the identification of a number of promising farmer innovations to manage food crop pests. APACE initiated a pilot process of participatory technology development (PTD) to further trial and then disseminate these methods through informal farmer networks. The approach has proved very successful, with farmers now becoming trainers and reaching out into other areas to share their experiences in natural pest management. The PTD approach has potential to be used as a low-cost, appropriate and empowering method of improving village food production for women and other village farmers.