Spatial and social dimensions of community extension approach in management of coconut red palm weevil

Abstract

Coconut red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier is a killer pest of coconut posing threat of crop loss to small and marginal farmers. The participatory area wide study was conducted since 2014-15 in Bharanikkavu grama panchayat in an area of 2100 hectares involving 6249 households with 174667 coconut palms of various age categories. The interventions included assessment of RPW infestation through combing survey involving stakeholder teams, extension interventions, area wide surveillance, removal of infested palms, adoption of bio management in associated pest rhinoceros beetle and leaf rot disease, weekly coconut clinics, advisory support, technology backstopping and area wide adoption of management practices. The implementation area was mapped with remote sensing and GIS and the reduction in RPW mapped comparatively in pre and post intervention period as a tool to assess the results. The infestation reduced to 0.38 from 2.98 per cent in the pre intervention period. Cheap and simple early detection tools and biological control measures are badly needed for the small scale growers community for managing red palm weevil.Community Extension Approach was evolved for marginal land holdings of coconut with threat of red palm weevil infestation. Sustaining the interest, motivation and support of relevant stakeholders is the challenge in area wide community management which warrants sequential surveillance assessment and participatory social mechanisms.