Programme Mangue

Améliorer la productivité agricole et les revenus ruraux grâce à la lutte biologique contre les insectes (sur la mangue)

mangoWks

Le but de cette nouvelle initiative est de réduire la pauvreté rurale et de renforcer la sécurité alimentaire par la mise en œuvre d’une lutte biologique contre les insectes du manguier. Le projet est démarré au Burkina Faso avec le soutien financier de la Banque Africaine de Développement, mais son efficacité dépendra de la mesure dans laquelle des efforts similaires sont déployés au niveau régional. Le rôle de SAFGRAD au sein de cette initiative est

  •  de rassembler et de faciliter l’échange d’expertise régionale et d’autres ressources pour une mise en œuvre réussie du projet au Burkina Faso , et
  • Faciliter et coordonner les efforts régionaux visant à étendre l’initiative parmi les pays voisins.

La cochenille de la mangue Rastrococcus invadens a été introduit accidentellement en Afrique de l’Ouest où il se déplace de pays en pays. It causes damage to mango production by reducing the quality and quantity of mango produced. The best way to put the brakes on this pest is through biological control, thus reducing the use of chemicals that are potentially harmful to people and the environment.  A project was started in Burkina Faso in 2007 with financial support from the African Development Bank for the construction of an insectarium for biological control of the pest. The effectiveness of this project will depend on the extent to which similar efforts are exerted at a regional level. Indeed, these insects are unaware of political barriers and mango is produced in all West African countries, including those bordering Burkina Faso. SAFGRAD’s role within this initiative is to bring together and facilitate exchange of regional expertise and other resources for successful implementation of the project in Burkina Faso and to facilitate and coordinate regional efforts aimed at scaling out the initiative among neighboring countries. 

Overall, the project seeks to reduce rural poverty and strengthen food security through implementing a biological control of mango insects, particularly the mealy bug. The specific objectives of the project are to:  develop and/or strengthen regional strategy for mango pest control; and facilitate and coordinate implementation of regional efforts among neighboring countries.

During 2008, missions were undertaken to consult with PADL in Banfora and also INERA. Following the signing of the MOU between SAFGRAD and Burkina Faso through PADL/CLK a development project in charge of the activity, funds were received to properly commence the activities planned.  The insectarium has been constructed. Research activities for the transfer of biological control of mango pest were planned and constitute the core activity for a MOU between SAFGRAD and IITA and INERA, respectively that were signed in 2008. The regional strategy has developed during a workshop held in December 2010 in Burkina Faso and attended by 8 neighboring countries. 

 

Dr ELMEKASS, AU SAFGRAD Coordinator visiting the Insectarium in FaraKoba, BoboDioulasso