ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF DATE PALM INFESTATION BY THE GREEN PIT SCALE INSECT (PALMAPSIS PHOENICIS RAMACHANDRA RAO) IN NORTHERN SUDAN
A wide area study to explore the cause-effect relationships between different factors affecting infestation by the green pit scale insect (Palmapsis phoenicis Ramachandra Rao) in northern Sudan and its main economic impacts was carried out in 2008. Primary data were collected from farmers using questionnaires and subjected to analysis by appropriate analysis techniques using SPSS. Main results revealed that the level of infestation of date palm trees with the green pit scale insect was not significantly related to soil type, intercropping, method of irrigation (flooding or drip irrigation) or irrigation interval whereas significant relationships were found between the level of infestation and use of permanent irrigation, regular fertilization and farm size.
There are also no significant differences in the total cost of production between the upper, middle terrace soils and islands and the TC varies even among irrigated date palm trees depending on the source of irrigation (from the Nile or underground water). The total cost of production using groundwater is higher by 63% than irrigation from the river Nile. Differences in farmers education, age, and infestation of date palm trees by other pests do not significantly affect the total cost of production.
The proportion of farmers who produce less than half a sack/tree/year (about 50 kg per tree) is 68% of the total farmers in the studied area as a result of infestation by the green scale insect and weak palm care. Total cost of production for farmers who produce more than half a sack/tree is higher by 53% than that of farmers who produce about half a sack without a significant difference between the two groups. Significant differences in the total cost of production at 10% confidence level between different age categories is evident in the analysis. Low date fruit prices and poor marketing as a result of infestation represent the most important market level impacts of the increasing infestation by the green pit scale insect in the area.
There are also no significant differences in the total cost of production between the upper, middle terrace soils and islands and the TC varies even among irrigated date palm trees depending on the source of irrigation (from the Nile or underground water). The total cost of production using groundwater is higher by 63% than irrigation from the river Nile. Differences in farmers education, age, and infestation of date palm trees by other pests do not significantly affect the total cost of production.
The proportion of farmers who produce less than half a sack/tree/year (about 50 kg per tree) is 68% of the total farmers in the studied area as a result of infestation by the green scale insect and weak palm care. Total cost of production for farmers who produce more than half a sack/tree is higher by 53% than that of farmers who produce about half a sack without a significant difference between the two groups. Significant differences in the total cost of production at 10% confidence level between different age categories is evident in the analysis. Low date fruit prices and poor marketing as a result of infestation represent the most important market level impacts of the increasing infestation by the green pit scale insect in the area.
Fageer, E.A. and Ahmed, M.A. (2010). ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF DATE PALM INFESTATION BY THE GREEN PIT SCALE INSECT (PALMAPSIS PHOENICIS RAMACHANDRA RAO) IN NORTHERN SUDAN. Acta Hortic. 882, 457-464
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.882.52
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.882.52
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.882.52
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2010.882.52
date palm, green scale insect, northern Sudan, economic impacts
English