Dissemination of ecological practices in potato pest management

Executive Summary

Potato is the main food of the Andean settlers. The Andean weevil (Premnotrypes spp.) and potato moths (Phthorimaea operculella, Symmetrischema tangolias, Tecia solanivora) are the key pests that limit production and harvest quality in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. To contribute to the solution of the problem, CIP and its collaborators within the framework of the project financed by FONTAGRO: CGIAR # 0604/06 “Development and application of ecological practices in pest management to increase the sustainable production of potatoes by farmers in low resources in the Andean regions of Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru ”developed an Integrated Management strategy with new ecological tools to reduce the use of insecticides. This new project intends to continue with the diffusion of these technologies through the formation of an Integrated Pest Management Network. The specific objectives of the project were: 1) the establishment of an inter-institutional platform for IPM in Peru, 2) the promotion of IPM with the involvement of the private sector, 3) the training of 'multiplier' actors and 4) coordinating and establish a monitoring system for impact analysis.

The technological solution

Implementation of a new Integrated Potato Pest Management program for the Andean region, which includes the use of plastic barriers, toxic attractants, increased functional diversity and the use of Bt talc for moth control in storage, which proved to be as efficient as chemical control, with the added benefits of protecting natural enemies and the environment.

Results

Beneficiaries

• 8166 farmers and technicians related to potato cultivation.
• 240 communities in Peru.
  

Sustainable Development Goals

Main donors

Dissemination products