J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2026 Jun 7. doi: 10.1186/s13002-026-00913-5. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Agricultural production continues to face critical problems, including persistent pest invasion, a lack of modern farm inputs, and climate change. Non-chemical pest control practices are vital, as they signify both cultural and practically embedded assets for sustainable agricultural practices in resource-limited environments. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the utilization of non-chemical pest control practices among agro-pastoralist farmers in the Gambella region of Ethiopia.
METHODS: A mixed research design was used to assess the utilization of non-chemical pest control practices among farmers from a total sample size (n = 274). The purposive sampling technique was used to select kebelles, and the systematic random sampling technique was used to select the target households. Primary data were collected from the sample respondents using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observations. Secondary data were collected from the documented sources. Frequency, percentage, chi-square, H-test, and ordinal logit model were used for quantitative data analysis, while thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data.
RESULTS: The common non-chemical pest control practices used by farmers were the application of ash (49.6%), crop rotation and intercropping (16.4%), use of neem extract (13.5%), physical removal of pests (10.2%), timing of planting based on the pest cycle (6.6%), and the use of chili or tobacco spray (3.7%). The ordinal logit model showed that farmers level of education negatively and significantly influenced the utilization of such practices (p < 0.01), and farmland ownership was positively and statistically associated with farmers non-chemical pest management systems (p < 0.01). The crops cultivated also showed a positive and statistically significant association with farmers’ utilization of the practices (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that the implementation of non-chemical pest control practices is shaped by socioeconomic and farmland-level factors rather than being regularly practiced across all households. Therefore, improving the application of locally available pest management systems with appropriate agricultural support should strengthen sustainable pest control and enhance farmland resilience in the Gambella region.
PMID:42252462 | DOI:10.1186/s13002-026-00913-5
