Comparison of different strategies for cotton insect pest management in Africa

Anticipating the direction for change in the current cotton insect pest management system in francophone African countries, different pest management strategies were investigated to reduce cotton protection costs and to improve overall pest control decision-making at the farmer level. Four strategies aimed at timing and limiting insecticide applications, were designed to fit the semiliterate level of farmers and pest profiles. Strategy 1 focused on using control thresholds early in the season, Strategy 2 on reducing the dosage in mixtures, while Strategies 3 and 4 were associated with the use of single active ingredients instead of mixtures. These strategies were assessed at the main research station Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire, and were shown to be effective when compared with the current protection programme. The number of treatments and the amount of insecticides applied was reduced while achieving equal or better pest control and yields. The strategies proved to be safer to some beneficial arthropods. Their cost-effectiveness needs to be assessed in more detail at farm level to select the most financially attractive strategy.