Pest-Exclusion Nets Protect Crops, Boost Yields
Vegetable production in Sub-Saharan Africa is far below
international standards for yield, quality and environmental impact
Vegetable farms are routinely devastated by pests and extended drought.
Insect pests reduce yield directly by attacking crops or indirectly by transmitting viral diseases.
Farmers use high levels of pesticides, which threatens their health and that of consumers and increases pest resistance to pesticides.
Small-scale growers rarely have access to training on effective use of pesticides.Basic Costs:
Mosquito netting 4 meters wide* — $?? per meter length
*cost subject to variations
Benefits:
1. Higher yields and improved vegetable quality
2. Reduced reliance on toxic and expensive pesticides that impact environmental and human health
3. Adds another useful integrated pest management tool that farmers can use to reduce pest pressure, resistance, and disease transmission
4. Improved water use efficiency, enhancing yield and produce quality
5. Minimal interference with other operations (e.g. weeding) as they are easily removed and replaced
6. Increased market for a domestically-produced textile
Without Nets With Nets
Vegetable crops are succulent targets for insect pests.
Pest-Exclusion Nets provide an inexpensive and
safe method of managing insect pests
Pest-Exclusion Nets:
create a barrier that protects vegetables against pests and associated viral diseases.
improve temperature, light, relative humidity and soil moisture like floating row covers.
can be reused for 3 to 5 years.
are produced locally by mosquito net factories.This fact sheet is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Award No. EPP-A-00-09-00004. The contents are the responsibility of Hort CRSP and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Edited by Amanda Crump 08/2011 Developed by Mark Bell, Thibaud Martin, Mathieu Ngouajio, Lusike Wasilwa, Francoise Komlan, Anselme Adegbidi, Damien Abouangassi, Pierre Guillet, Muo Kasina, Fatuma Omari, Laurent Parrot, Mwanarusi Saidi, Sevgan Subramanian, Serge Simon, Hubert de Bon, Karim Maredia and Peter Shapland. Photos: Thibaud Martin
