Management Practices Of Insect-Pests And Diseases Of Common Vegetable Crops Of Selected Districts Of Central And Northern Tanzania

Vegetable crops are known for their enriched vitamins and essential nutrients. Vegetable production is among the main sources of income to a majority of smallholder farmers in central and northern Tanzania. Despite a number of factors affecting vegetable production farmers knowledge and skills are so important towards proper management of insect-pests and diseases. This study was therefore carried out to assess the farmers management practices of insect-pest and diseases of common vegetable crops mainly tomatoes and sweet peppers in selected districts of semi-arid climates of central and northern Tanzania. To obtain baseline data a socio-economic survey was carried out is the selected areas with a total of 60 respondents involved. In general this study revealed unsustainable farming practices that resulted in notable insect-pests and diseases infestation within the farms across Dodoma Municipality Kongwa Babati and Kiteto districts. Proper control and management practices were therefore recommended through training use of improved varieties and proper agronomic practices for enhanced production.