Fusarium Wilt Disease of Eggplant: Farmers’ Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Farming History, Awareness and Perception in Major Eggplant Growing Areas of Ghana

Abstract

Fusarium wilt disease cause losses to eggplants in many parts of Ghana. However, information about farmers’ appreciation and management of the disease is limited. In this study, farmers’ socio-demographic characteristics, farming history, awareness and perception of Fusarium Wilt disease of eggplants in some major eggplant growing areas in the Ashanti, Eastern and Volta Regions of Ghana were determined. Purposive sampling method was used to select major eggplant producing communities and snowball technique was employed to identify eggplant farmers. A structured questionnaire aided with pictures of Fusarium infected eggplant was used to inquire for information from750 farmers in the three regions; 250 from each region and 50 from each of the 5 communities selected in each region. The farmers on the three regions had similar socio-demographic characters and knowledge of Fusarium wilt disease of eggplants. Farmers were mostly within the age group of 30 year to 50 years and 63% of them had formal education. Land preparation was mainly manual, except for some part of the Volta region that used tractors. Mixed cropping with other vegetables and crop rotation with cereals was most practiced. Farmer selected seeds were the major planting materials. Wilt symptoms was a common observation of farmers in all the regions. However, majority were oblivious of the cause and source of the disease and therefore were unable to apply appropriate management methods. Farmers could not estimate losses caused by Fusarium wilt disease and therefore were not keen on management methods.