Factors influencing management of Black Sigatoka disease of banana and plantain in the South-West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Bananas and plantains are major cash crops in Cameroon, contributing significantly to the national economy and the livelihoods of farmers. However, Black Sigatoka disease (BSD) severely affects the production of these crops, particularly among smallholder farmers. This study examines the control methods used by farmers and the factors influencing their choices in managing BSD. Data were collected from 322 smallholder banana and plantain farmers in the Limbe and Buea districts of Cameroon in 2022. A combination of descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Descriptive results reveal that 78.6 % of farmers have encountered BSD, with the most reported symptoms being black streaks, black dots, and dry patches on leaves (41.6 %). Farmers reported significant negative impacts of BSD on the selling price (62.4 %) and yield (55.3 %) of bananas and plantains. The findings indicate that chemical control methods, such as fungicide applications, are the most commonly used approach (69.9 %), while fewer farmers adopt non-chemical methods, including removing infected leaves and improving field sanitation. Multinomial logistic regression results show that older farmers, religious farmers, those with more farming experience, larger landholdings, and access to extension services are less likely to use non-chemical control methods. In contrast, farmers who are more educated, have received training, consider agriculture their main occupation, and primarily cultivate bananas and plantains are more likely to adopt non-chemical practices. We recommend providing targeted training on non-chemical BSD management methods and equipping extension workers to effectively disseminate this knowledge to farmers.