AN INVESTIGATION ON THE FARMERS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTION ON THE USE OF BIO PESTICIDES IN CONTROLLING FIELD PESTS OF CABBAGE IN BUNANGO PARISH, NALWANZA SUB COUNTY, BUDUDA DISTRICT.
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Date
2026-09-15
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Busitema University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study investigates the farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding the use of bio-pesticides in controlling field pests of cabbage in Bunango Parish, Nalwanza Sub-county, Bududa District, Uganda. Cabbage production is an important economic activity and a major source of livelihood for smallholder farmers in the area. However, productivity has continuously been threatened by destructive field pests such as aphids, diamondback moths, cutworms, flea beetles, and whiteflies, which significantly reduce yields and market quality. As a result, many farmers heavily rely on synthetic chemical pesticides whose prolonged and indiscriminate use has contributed to environmental pollution, pesticide resistance, increased production costs, health risks, and contamination of water sources and agricultural produce.
The study findings revealed that although a number of farmers have heard about bio-pesticides and acknowledge their environmental and health benefits, the majority still depend on synthetic pesticides due to perceptions that bio-pesticides are less effective, slow acting, labor-intensive, and not readily available. Limited technical knowledge, inadequate agricultural extension services, lack of training opportunities, high poverty levels, and poor access to reliable bio-pesticide products were identified as major barriers to adoption. The study further established that cabbage farming remains highly profitable in Nalwanza Sub-county despite the numerous production challenges faced by farmers.
The study concludes that bio-pesticides have great potential in promoting sustainable cabbage production, improving food safety, reducing environmental degradation, and lowering health risks associated with synthetic chemicals. However, their successful adoption requires intensive farmer sensitization, practical training, improved access to extension services, government support, establishment of demonstration gardens, and strengthening of local farmer groups. The study therefore recommends increased investment in farmer education programs, promotion of integrated pest management strategies, subsidization of bio-pesticide inputs, and collaborative efforts between government agencies, researchers, and non-governmental organizations to encourage sustainable agricultural practices among smallholder cabbage farmers in Bududa District and Uganda at large.