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LARGER GRAIN BORER AND TT&TU:
WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?
M.E. Zweigert
Technology Testing and Transfer Unit (TT&TU),Objectives of TT&TU
The Technology Testing and Transfer Unit (TT&TU) of the Plant Health Management Division of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) was initially implemented in 1990 to cope with the increasing demand for assistance from African countries, seriously affected by the cassava mealy bug. The initial funding was provided by Germany. Gradually the duties of the unit were extended to other biological control programs for pests such as mango mealybug, cassava green mite, water weeds, etc. Austria and Switzerland joined in as sponsors to strengthen national programs. Integrated Pest Management strategies are nowadays playing an increasing role in IITA’s Plant Health Management Division's (PHMD) research portfolio. These complex strategies need more testing and adapting at earlier research stages than classical biological control, and hence even closer collaboration with our partners in National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NARES).
The TT&TU assisted collaboration has a number of direct and indirect objectives which are:
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to promote safe and endurable plant protection; |
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to enable national scientists to learn, adapt and spread new technologies; |
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to enable the Institute to test technologies on-farm and in different environments in partnership with NARES; |
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to improve national research capabilities; |
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to increase the exchange of information among all concerned parties; |
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to strengthen regional co-operation and avoid duplication of activities; |
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to foster participatory research and training; |
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to improve the accountability of NARES, and |
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to further develop and strengthen human capabilities. |
Though IITA has only a mandate for institutional building with the aim of improving national research capacities, the overall goal of the collaboration with NARES remains its substantial contribution to poverty alleviation in African families through increased and sustainable food production.
Instruments
TT&TU acts purely as a facilitator and catalyst. PHMD scientists officially remain responsible for their research activities until successful implementation on off-station pilot sites. This is the basic and official rule in the unit, which is meant as a service equally provided to IITA's and national programs' scientists.
NARES scientists and extension agents work under relatively poor conditions, hardly have any incentives and are sometimes frustrated due to multiple problems within and outside their working environment.
However, support through TT&TU as described here can easily contribute to raising the professional morale and the personal motivation of national staff by various means. Of course, the instruments for motivation must be chosen prudently, because there is always an "after the project" situation, where the national researcher is forced to integrate himself back into the normal system. Since 1990, TT&TU has initiated and strengthened National Biological Control Programs in about 15 African countries. The collaborative agreements lasted for up to six years, thereafter the sustainability of national programs was expected through national contributions.
The project in the past provided working facilities such as laboratory equipment, communication tools, and often even vehicles, and in addition some operating costs as well as travel allowances were covered. Training courses and participation at international workshops and conferences, on a competitive basis, were well received incentives for national colleagues. Co-ordination meetings in Cotonou or at other IITA stations helped to keep NARES better inspired. Visits between neighbouring programmes allowed NARES personnel to compare limitations across countries and helped to avoid resentfulness.
Many of you here have benefited from this support. Unfortunately since July 1996, we are going through the last phase of the project and considerable reductions of costs are now requested by our donors. Their financial and technical support will finally end in December 1999. We are no longer able to support entire new national programs, but only selected activities.
Recent developments in the biological control of the Larger Grain Borer, Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), are very promising and they now warrant some support through TT&TU. Emphasis is laid on post-release assessment and evaluation to further enhance the acceptance of Teretriosoma nigrescens Lewis (Coleoptera: Histeridae) as a major control agent.
Ongoing collaboration with NARES
Benin
Benin started its rearing experience already in 1992, but circumstances did not allow continuity. TT&TU was recently called for help to re-initiate the insect production in Porto-Novo. One agronomist was trained and some laboratory material provided. Nevertheless, as long as the rearing facility of the National Plant Protection Service is not fully operational, IITA will supply T. nigrescens from its own stock and releases as well as follow-up surveys will be undertaken jointly.
Ghana
Back in 1994, Ghana was the first country that requested assistance from TT&TU to boost its local rearing of the natural enemy. Minor equipment and a modest operating budget helped to establish one of the most successful rearing sites in West Africa. Releases were expanded from the Volta Region to the whole country.
Guinea
Guinea for a long time was not aware of the extent and threat of LGB. Finally, a joint survey in 1995 determined the urgent need for action. One technician was trained in Ghana and in Benin and equipment as well as a starter culture was shipped to Conakry. The rearing pace was slow in the beginning, but the first release of T. nigrescens finally took place in August 1997.
Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Senegal
TT&TU has supported Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Senegal to determine the presence of P. truncatus in these countries. Up to now, no trap catches have been reported there.
Nigeria
Nigeria recently finalised its first north - south survey, about 150 km east of the Benin border. LGB was found in almost all of the 50 traps, but surprisingly not a single T. nigrescens was reported. TT&TU is ready to assist during the initiation of a bio-control program there, but modalities have to be discussed further.
Tanzania
From the east coast of Africa, P. truncatus is slowly spreading towards the south and the east of this continent. Due to widespread use of chemical control measures in Tanzania, the pest never was until recently considered as a major threat. Finally in May 1997, a decision was made to begin biological control as part of a national IPM strategy against the Larger Grain Borer. Since then, IITA has trained two national scientists and assisted with equipment and operating funds. Some early difficulties in rearing P. truncatus should have been overcome by now and the shipment of a T. nigrescens starter-culture is now envisaged for early next year.
Rwanda
With the assistance of TT&TU, Rwanda started afresh its Biological Control Program during the second half of 1996, after in-country working conditions had widely improved. Following the training and equipping of the program, a larger batch of the natural enemy was delivered for immediate release and as a starter for local rearing activities. Lower temperatures seem to reduce the output and IITA is actually preparing an exploration to identify cold resistant strains in Mexico.
Zambia
In Zambia in 1995, LGB was suddenly declared a national disaster and TT&TU was approached to help with training and supply of natural enemies. This was followed by the deployment of two PHMD scientists to adapt local survey and rearing procedures.
Malawi
Prostephanus truncatus was first reported in Malawi in 1994, but due to an effective internal quarantine scheme it has reached the southern part of the country only last year. Biological control now is a priority for the Malawi-German Plant Protection Project. TT&TU has trained national agronomists and supplied T. nigrescens to Malawi.
Burundi
Burundi discovered its first LGB in 1996 and is actually designing a control scheme. For this purpose, one expert was trained in Cotonou and is now beginning to rear the insects in Bujumbura.
Uganda
In Uganda, the LGB was discovered almost simultaneously in 3 different regions early 1997. The regular passage of food aid to eastern Zaire might have led to this uncommon distribution pattern. One rearing specialist from the National Agricultural Research Organisation of Uganda (NARO) received a four week training in Cotonou and the start of a biological control program is already earmarked.
Conclusion
The above overview of ongoing collaboration of TT&TU with NARES shows that TT&TU has much in common with LGB. By initiating additional LGB control activities in other countries, the widespread spirit of classical biological control as one important contribution to Integrated Pest Management in Africa could be further enhanced. TT&TU therefore remains open to any new proposal aiming at implementing environmentally sound and sustainable plant protection measures in Africa.
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