Pest Management in Andes Native Potatoes
Executive Summary
The potato is the main food of the Andean settlers. The Andean weevil (Premnotrypes spp.) and potato moths (Phthorimaea operculella, Symmetrischema tangolias, Tecia solanivora) are the key pests that limit production and harvest quality in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. Without control, the losses of these pests can reach more than 50% during the field phase, and up to 80% during the storage phase. Potato moths and Andean weevils are estimated to produce losses of up to US $ 500-1000 per ha and year. Farmers use very toxic insecticides putting their health and environment at risk. To contribute to the solution of the problem, CIP and its collaborators from Ecuador and Bolivia, within the framework of the project financed by FONTAGRO, have managed to develop a new Integrated Management strategy with new ecological tools to reduce the use of insecticides.
The technological solution
Development and implementation of a new Integrated Potato Pest Management program for the Andean region, which includes the use of plastic barriers, toxic attractants, increased functional diversity and the use of Bt talc for moth control in storage, which proved to be as efficient as chemical control, with the added benefits of protecting natural enemies and the environment.
Results
- Development of the “Insect Life Cycle Modeling” (ILCYM) software
- Classic biological control for the control of Tecia solanivora in Ecuador
- IPM technology was developed that reduced crop damage by 80%, and reduced costs
Beneficiaries
1500 potato farmers in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia
Sustainable Development Goals
![Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere No poverty](https://www.fontagro.org/new/uploads/badges/sdg-en-012.png)
![Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Zero Hunger](https://www.fontagro.org/new/uploads/badges/sdg-en-02.png)
![Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns Responsible consumption and production](https://www.fontagro.org/new/uploads/badges/sdg-en-12.png)
![Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development Partnerships for the goals](https://www.fontagro.org/new/uploads/badges/sdg-en-17.png)
Participating Organizations
Executor
- Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) - Perú
Co-executor
- Fundación para la Promoción e Investigación de Productos Andinos (PROINPA) - Bolivia
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP) - Ecuador