Integrated Pest Management Practices in Somalia to Reduce Pesticide Use in Banana Production

Banana cultivation is an essential source of life for Somalia. Diseases and pests affecting banana production are causing yield reductions, thereby negatively impacting the livelihoods of banana producers in Afgoye. This research aims to reveal the pesticide-related problems faced by the farmers who grow bananas in Somalia and their pesticide knowledge. The study further explores farmers' training levels and training levels on integrated pest management (IPM), whether this training translated into IPM applications, and examines the socio-demographic factors affecting their IPM practice. The research was carried out with 378 banana growers living in Lower Shabelle. A binary logistic regression method was used. Results showed that 75% of participants received IPM training via cooperatives, and 48% did not use pesticides. All participants used one form of the IPM method during banana cultivation. Education, land ownership, number of the family workforce, annual farming income, and home consumption rate had a positive and significant effect on IPM adoption. Age, farming experience, and using credit for banana production negatively impacted IPM adoption. However, this impact was not statistically significant.