Technical and Economic Impact of Integrated Pest Management on Date Palm Fruit Pests: Case of Lesser Date Moth
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Boubaker Dhehibi, Mohamed Ben-Salah. (3/12/2018). Technical and Economic Impact of Integrated Pest Management on Date Palm Fruit Pests: Case of Lesser Date Moth. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
Abstract
The present study is conducted within the framework of the “Development of Sustainable
Date Palm Production Systems in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries” project funded by
the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat (GCC). This research and development project aims
to produce new knowledge and practices to improve date palm production systems in the
Gulf region. The main activities of the project include improving the productivity of cultivars,
managing natural resources (land and water) for optimal performance, optimizing the use
of different inputs in the cropping process (fertilizers, pollinators, wastewater, etc.), and
studying the genetic diversity of date palms. The transfer of technology and experience
between partners is an integral part of the project.
The focus of this project was mainly justified by the fact that date palm is key commodity in
the GCC region. In addition to its nutritional value, date palm is also an important source of
feed and fuel and can be used as a building material in the construction of houses. It is
therefore a significant contributor to household income in rural areas. Therefore, date palm
farming system in the GCC has faced many environmental, human and biological challenges
that have led to their decline and degradation. The vital factors of agricultural pests are
among the most important factors threatening their sustainability in the region. The date
palm farming system suffer from several pests, including attacks on leaves, stems and fruits.
Fruit pests are among the most important palm pests that cause significant economic losses
such as The Lesser Date Moth, the Dubas Bug, and various species of Stem Borer.
Due to the importance of date palm and the significant economic losses caused by these
pests and the spread of infection in all regions, in addition to the lack of studies on the insect
in the GCC countries, the assessment of date palm yield losses is needed for the
improvement of production systems that contribute to the incomes of rural families and
food security in the intervention zones of the project. However, efforts to quantify yield
losses and identify their causes are still limited, especially for date palm crop.
Having said that, one of the key objectives of this project is to improve livelihoods and
empower smallholder farmers through the adoption of improved technology packages
based on integrated pest management (IPM). This practical and environmentally-friendly
approach to pest control combines an extensive range of techniques to control and prevent
the growth and spread of pest populations. It emphasizes the use of cultural and biological
interventions and supports the targeted use of pesticides only when alternative methods
have been exhausted, costs are not excessive, and there is no threat to existing agroecosystems.
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Dhehibi, Boubaker https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3854-6669
Ben-Salah, Mohamed https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1706-7351
Ben-Salah, Mohamed https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1706-7351