Farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and management practices regarding Tuta absoluta in Xumbowayne village, Maroodijeex district, Somaliland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26832/24566632.2026.1102013Keywords:
Knowledge, Management, Practices, Tomato, Tuta absolutaAbstract
This study assessed farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and management practices (KAP) regarding Tuta absoluta in Xumbowayne Village, Maroodijeex District, Somaliland, and examined gaps between knowledge and practice. A simple random sampling technique was employed to collect data from 118 participants using a structured interview schedule and focus group discussions (FGDs). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Cramér’s V were applied for data analysis. Results showed that while most farmers had high knowledge (72.0%), the majority exhibited low attitudes (66.1%) and moderate practices (89.8%), with 72.0% falling under low overall KAP. Chemical control was found the dominant strategy, with limited adoption of integrated pest management (IPM). Although KAP components were significantly associated, higher knowledge did not translate into better practices. Education (V = 0.841, p < 0.001) and farm size (V = 0.508, p < 0.001) significantly influenced knowledge and management practices. Therefore, the findings of this study reveal a clear knowledge practice gap driven by institutional and resource constraints, highlighting the need for improved extension services and practical IPM interventions.
Downloads
References
Biondi, A., Guedes, R. N. C., Wan, F. H., and Desneux, N. (2018). Ecology, worldwide spread, and management of the invasive South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta: Past, present, and future. Annual Review of Entomology, 63, 239-258.
Chen, H. S., Cui, Y., Zhou, Z. H., Zhang, H., Wang, L. X., Wang, W. Z., and Nguyen, T. N. (2023). Dual antiplatelet therapy vs alteplase for patients with minor nondisabling acute ischemic stroke: The ARAMIS randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 329(24), 2135-2144.
Chepchirchir, F., Muriithi, B. W., Langat, J., Mohamed, S. A., Ndlela, S., and Khamis, F. M. (2021). Knowledge, attitude, and practices on tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta on tomato and potential demand for integrated pest management among smallholder farmers in Kenya and Uganda. Agriculture, 11(12), 1242.
Dereyko, L., Paladovska, M., Kolba, A., and Hudyma, B. (2023). Assessment of risk factors and periodontitis in Ukraine: Unraveling the impact of smoking, stress, and more. Journal of Biochemical Technology, 14(3), 37-42.
Desneux, N., Wajnberg, E., Wyckhuys, K. A. G., Burgio, G., Arpaia, S., Narvaez-Vasquez, C. A., Gonzalez-Cabrera, J., Ruescas, D. C., Tabone, E., Frandon, J., Pizzol, J., Poncet, C., and Urbaneja, A. (2010). Biological invasion of European tomato crops by Tuta absoluta: Ecology, geographic expansion and prospects for biological control. Crop Protection, 29(9), 906-913.
FAOSTAT. (2023). Crops and livestock products: Tomatoes (production quantity). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Fuentes, R. R., de Ridder, D., van Dijk, A. D. J., and Peters, S. A. (2021). Domestication shapes recombination patterns in tomato. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 39(1), msab287.
Gozel, C., Kasap, I., and Gozel, U. (2020). Efficacy of native entomopathogenic nematodes on the larvae of tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 26(2), 220-225.
Jamilu, S. N., Abdulsalam, Z., Hassan, A. A., and Umar, M. (2024). Mapping the landscape and analyzing the socio-economic portraits of tomato value chain in Kano State, Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 8(3), 383-389.
Mahlangu, L., Ntushelo, K., and Sibisi, P. (2025). Phthorimaea absoluta in potato cultivars: Tolerance analysis and implications for integrated pest management. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection, 132(5), 161.
MALR, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. (2020). Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
MoAD, Ministry of Agricultural Development. (2026). Crop production and pest status in Maroodijeex District (Report No. 1). Ministry of Agricultural Development.
Mohamoud, S., and Omer, M. A. (2026). Climate variability and maize production among small-scale farmers in Gabiley, Somalia. Discover Agriculture, 4(1), 99.
Mutamiswa, R., Machekano, H., and Nyamukondiwa, C. (2017). First report of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in Botswana. Agriculture and Food Security, 6(49).
Ndereyimana, A., Nyalala, S., Murerwa, P., and Gaidashova, S. (2020). Field efficacy of entomopathogens and plant extracts on Tuta absoluta Meyrick infesting tomato in Rwanda. Crop Protection, 134, 105183.
Pandey, M., Bhattarai, N., Pandey, P., Chaudhary, P., Katuwal, D. R., and Khanal, D. (2023). A review on biology and possible management strategies of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in Nepal. Heliyon, 9(6), e16474.
Poudel, A., and Kafle, K. (2021). Tuta absoluta: A devastating pest of tomato: A review. International Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 8(5), 193-197.
Rwomushana, I., Beale, T., Chipabika, G., Day, R., Gonzalez-Moreno, P., Lamontagne-Godwin, J., and Tambo, J. (2019). Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta): Impacts and coping strategies for Africa. Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).
Sperdouli, I., Andreadis, S. S., Adamakis, I. D. S., Moustaka, J., Koutsogeorgiou, E. I., and Moustakas, M. (2022). Reactive oxygen species initiate defence responses of potato photosystem II to sap-sucking insect feeding. Insects, 13(5), 409.
Tarusikirwa, V. L., Machekano, H., Mutamiswa, R., Chidawanyika, F., and Nyamukondiwa, C. (2020). Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) on the offensive in Africa: Prospects for integrated management initiatives. Insects, 11(11), 764.
Wang, C., Li, M., Duan, X., Abu-Izneid, T., Rauf, A., Khan, Z., Mitra, S., Emran, T. B., Aljohani, A. S. M., Alhumaydhi, F. A., et al. (2023). Phytochemical and nutritional profiling of tomatoes; Impact of processing on bioavailability - A comprehensive review. Food Reviews International, 39, 5986-6010.
Wangari Nderitu, P., Jonsson, M., Arunga, E., Otieno, M., Muturi, J. J., and Wafula, G. O. (2020). Combining host plant resistance, selective insecticides, and biological control agents for integrated management of Tuta absoluta. Advances in Agriculture, 2020, 6239491.
Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (3rd ed.). Harper and Row.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Agriculture and Environmental Science Academy
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
