The PIP organises training for small-scale producers in bio-control against the fruit fly on mango

From 23 February to 6 March 2009 at Orodara (Burkina Faso), PIP organised two training sessions on biological control against the fruit fly. This training was aimed at two organisations that support small-scale producers of mangoes for export. A total of 26 local trainers and farmers were trained by an expert from CIRAD (International Centre for Co-operation in Agricultural Research for Development). The session generated considerable interest in the Orodara region, which is particularly affected by the fruit fly problem on mango.

COLEACP/PIP has supported a series of activities to assist the mango fly initiative. These include the brochure: Comment lutter contre la mouche des mangue (How to protect against the mango fly) published in cooperation with the CTA (Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation) and a poster entitled "Ensemble nous luttons contre la mouche de la mangue” (Together we can fight the mango fly). Other activities include the development of male elimination technique tests, and support for registration of the spinosad-based product Success Appat in countries that are member states of the CILSS (Permanent Inter-State Committee for Fighting Drought in the Sahel).

If you would like to receive copies of the above documents, please contact us at: pip@coleacp.org.

According to Abdoul Karim Nadie, expert and trainer for the integrated pests and production management Programme, a participant in the training session: “The training on fruit flies went well; the producers and we local facilitators greatly appreciated it. We learnt to distinguish between various types of fly, and we learnt about the biology/ecology of these pests. Above all, it was made clear to us that only a good level of crop hygiene allows the pests to be kept down to a level at which damage does not become catastrophic. Discussions during the training session enabled producers to understand that only concerted action can deliver evidence-based results. Practical exercises on forms of treatment were greatly appreciated; we were able to see the difference with respect to existing forms of treatment.”