The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched a countrywide campaign, a concerted effort to tackle the persistent issue of mango mealybugs that have wreaked havoc on mango crops, causing a shortage in markets across the country and beyond.

The campaign was launched on June 11 in Karuyombe Cell, Cyotamakara Village, Ntyazo Sector, Nyanza District, Southern Province on a five-hectare mango and avocado farm. This farm, which has successfully kept mealybug infestations at minimal levels, serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the feasibility of managing and potentially eradicating these pests.

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Over the past five years, mealybugs have devastated mango fruit trees, leading to shortages in markets countrywide. In response to such challenges, MINAGRI and FAO are promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to manage the pest sustainably. The IPM combines crop-specific management strategies and practices using an agroecological approach to grow healthy crops while minimizing the use of pesticides. The IPM holds the promise of a long-term and sustainable solution, enhancing resistance to pests and diseases and offering a brighter future for mango farming.

As noted, the campaign’s objective is to avert the persistent use of pesticides in mango production through educational sessions for residents and farmers that promote various preventive and combative measures, yet effective, against mealybugs. Pruning, field sanitation, proper cleaning of farm tools and disposal of discarded infested plant material all help to reduce the impact of the mango mealybug.

Dr Ildephonse Musafiri, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, said fruit trees and other plants are being attacked by pests, primarily mango mealybugs, throughout the country. This pest infestation leads to market shortages and financial losses for farmers and the government.

"We wanted to show farmers that mealybugs can be successfully combated. Farmers thought there were no solutions, but there are.” Musafiri explained. In relation to other plant pests of mango, he further stated, "We briefed them on which pesticides to use and how to use them. Additionally, we provided them with a modern pumping machine that functions efficiently.”

The minister emphasised that the primary issue for farmers to effectively manage mango pests and diseases including the new mango mealybug is a lack of knowledge. Through the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), the ministry’s responsibility is to raise awareness, teach farmers how to combat pests, and enable them to do it independently. This approach aims to improve pest management efficacy and increase harvests.

The "mango mealybug” was first reported in the East African region in 2019 where three countries namely Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi were affected, according to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Coumba Sow, the Country Representative of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rwanda, stated, "the FAO is a technical agency with the mandate to support the government in addressing agricultural issues, including plant pests and diseases.”

Since the pest arrived in 2019, FAO has collaborated with IITA experts, who have a proven track record of successfully managing the mango mealybug in West Africa and recently in Rwanda&039;s neighboring countries. In Rwanda, FAO is thereby fostering collaboration with the government institutions such as RAB, REMA, RICA, and NAEB, and training both technicians and local farmers about the mango mealybug using also biological control such as parasitoids. Parasitoids are tiny wasps about 1mm in size that do not sting humans or animals but exclusively feed on the mango mealybugs. These parasitoids have successfully been tested and should be aiming at supporting the country widely.

ALSO READ: Rwanda to deploy parasitoids to fight pests in mangoes

Sow noted: "In Rwanda, we were able to train 158 extensionists who are at the forefront of the fight against mango mealybugs, but also 6000 farmers through campaigns to help them know what the easiest, quickest, and safest way to combat mango mealybugs.”"We are very happy that the government is launching such a massive campaign across the country targeting all farmers using an integrated approach, whatever their level is, and we’re very proud of the results that we’re already

seeing. We know the importance of mango production in the country, both in terms of economic growth and nutrition,” she added.

FAO advocates for increased planting of fruit trees as a way to reduce malnutrition at the same time combat climate change. FAO’s support for such initiatives is steadfast.

Farmers weigh in

Prudence Sendarasi, a local farmer and owner of the farm visited, expressed optimism about the campaign, believing it will increase awareness among his fellow farmers. He started planting these trees in 2017.

Sendarasi, 64, explained, "Initially, I loved agriculture and chose to cultivate these fruits. RAB and FAO have been giving me a lot of support since day one. I have received a modern sprayer from FAO, and I’m hoping it will help my colleagues and increase our harvest. This pump will help me greatly, and I look forward to sharing more success stories.”

"For my farm, I spray twice a month. I work on it every day and have been helping my fellows understand how to do it as well,” said Sendarasi.

Coretta Uwamahoro, a farmer promoter in Karuyombe Cell, added, "We have been trained on what mealybugs are, how they affect plants, and their impact on the harvest. For mango trees, the attack usually occurs close to harvest time.

"These pesticides have helped significantly since pests used to attack almost every plant, causing them to dry up. They provided us with pesticides, training, and mentorship. Now, everyone knows how to combat the pests, and sooner or later, we will be able to completely eradicate them,” she said.

The delegation also visited the RAB biological control laboratory, which as set through the support by FAO, they observed how mealybugs are combated using natural enemies. They also toured the soil lab, where FAO provided lab equipment and training to technical staff. The mushroom centre, beekeeping project in Rubona, and Huye District's regional food processing industry were also visited.