Assessing damage caused by tomato leafminer (tuta absoluta) insect pest and control strategies used by small holder farmers in Bulegeni subcounty, Bulambuli district, Uganda.
| dc.contributor.author | Sirikye, John | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-08-25T08:12:34Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-08-25T08:12:34Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description | Undergraduate research report | |
| dc.description.abstract | Tomatoes are highly cultivated horticultural crops for food and income in Uganda, East Africa and worldwide. Smallholder farmers growing tomato plants are faced by several challenges in the production process of tomatoes. The biggest challenge is that of insect pests and tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) being the most significant pest causing a yield loss of up to 100% if not controlled. This research was conducted in Bulegeni Sub County, Bulambuli district in Uganda among smallholder tomato farmers. The study aimed at assessing the extent of damage caused by T. absoluta on tomato plants and evaluating the various control measures used to manage this pest. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, involving 10 smallholder tomato farmers selected from four parishes (Mbigi, Samazi, Bulegeni Ward, and Magala Ward) using purposive and random sampling techniques. Quantitative data was collected through field observations where 50 tomato plants were randomly sampled from each farm to assess leaf and fruit damage incidence. Qualitative data was obtained using semi-structured questionnaires administered to the 10 respondent farmers, key informant interviews, and direct field observations. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and presented in tables, bar graphs and pie charts. Inferential statistics using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at α = 0.05 was performed to test for significant differences in damage levels among farms. The results showed that the incidence of T. absoluta in Bulegeni Sub County was high with mean incidence of 88.95%, with all farms reporting pest presence. However, the overall damage was moderate, with leaf damage having mean as 17.63% being significantly higher than fruit damage having mean of 9.22% when F = 8.24 and p = 0.007. Chemical control was the most used method with 100% of farmers adopting it, while 60% supplemented with cultural practices. Caterpillar force (Emamectin Benzoate) was used by all farmers (100%), followed by Benocap (50%), Dudu Acelemectin (50%), and Fenari (40%). No farmer reported using Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological control, or botanical pesticides. The study concludes that while T. absoluta is widespread in Bulegeni Sub-County, farmers rely heavily on chemical pesticides with limited integration of sustainable control methods. There is a critical knowledge gap regarding IPM strategies among smallholder farmers. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Madam Namusana Hellen | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Sirikye, J. (2026). Assessing damage caused by tomato leafminer (tuta absoluta) insect pest and control strategies used by small holder farmers in Bulegeni subcounty, Bulambuli district, Uganda. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/9132 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Busitema University | |
| dc.title | Assessing damage caused by tomato leafminer (tuta absoluta) insect pest and control strategies used by small holder farmers in Bulegeni subcounty, Bulambuli district, Uganda. | |
| dc.type | Others |