Assessment of Awareness on Cashew Insect Pests, Diseases and Management Practices in Tanga Region, Tanzania

Cashew production in Tanzania suffers from numerous biotic constraints particularly insect pests and fungal pathogens. Different pest management options are available to cashew growers, however, the most devastating diseases and insect pests that attack cashew and management options against these diseases and pests particularly in Tanga region are not well known. We conducted a study to find out the level of knowledge on cashew nuts pests, diseases and the management practices. The results showed that the cashew nut bugs and stem borers were the major (53 %) insect pests attacking cashew crop, whereas Powdery Mildew and Cashew Leaf and Nut Blight were the most (86 %) devastating diseases. Majority of the respondents (45 %) controlled these pests and diseases mainly using pesticides. More than 60 % of the respondents did not use protective gears. Most (49 %) of them lacked the knowledge on the importance of wearing protective gears during the application of the pesticides. We recommend that farmers training is needed to improve awareness among them on insect pests and diseases management, particularly the use of Integrated Pest Management program. Also protective gears should be subsidized and be available to users.