New Study Suggests Local Biological Control Agent Hubs to Fight 'Fall Armyworm' in Bangladesh

A new CABI-led study, conducted in collaboration with the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), proposes the establishment of local Biological Control Agent (BCA) hubs in Bangladesh to combat the devastating fall armyworm pest.

Fall armyworm is a major concern because there is widespread evidence of yield loss and economic damage caused by the pest in a variety of crops, including maize, cotton, sorghum, and others. Maize cultivation has grown in importance in Bangladesh since the 1980s, and it is now one of the country's top three crops.

Findings of Study:

The study's lead author, Dr. Mariam Kadzamira, discusses how several factors impede farmer uptake of BCAs. This includes a lack of BCA availability in local markets, negative farmer and agro-dealer perceptions, poor input industry linkages for BCA product supply to agro-dealers, and insufficient institutional finances for capacity building and technical support by research scientists and extension agents.

According to Dr. Kadzamira, "given these challenges to BCAs uptake, a non-linear innovation systems-based business model that links researchers, extensionists, agro-dealers, and farmer producer organizations is proposed for Bangladesh."

"This translates into the establishment of locally owned and managed BCA production hubs managed by farm entrepreneurs, with scientists providing nucleus culture and extension services providing technical support for quality assurance. The interaction among all stakeholders is non-linear, with all actors intellectually consulted and engaged, and technical capacity on BCAs available to any actor who requires it."

Dr. Malvika Chaudhary, the co-author, adds that multidisciplinary research that incorporates stakeholder feedback complements the process, generating robust and relevant knowledge for feedbacking to improve the business model, capacity-building initiatives, and farmer engagement.

According to scientists, biological control is a potential management strategy for fall armyworm because it can provide long-term control without causing harm to the environment or human health. With the right resources and effort, BCAs can be effective in managing fall armyworm in maize and other susceptible crops.

Dr. Chaudhary claims "Local BCA production is rare, but it is spreading around the world. There are no clear guidelines in Bangladesh on the profitability and costs of establishing local BCAs production hubs by farm entrepreneurs in FAW-infested areas."

"This study contributes to this by providing practitioners, governments, and funders with insights into a type of business model that can be used to establish local BCAs production hubs. Long-term financial and technical support for the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), extension services, and farmer producer organizations is required to fully operationalize this business model."

The researchers conclude by recommending additional research to understand and quantify the timelines for when the proposed business model would become self-sustaining, as well as the type of support required for relevant stakeholders during this time. Other research could focus on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion analysis, they say, to capture gendered differences in farmer perceptions, usage, and knowledge of BCAs, as well as farmer willingness to pay.