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Effect of Agricultural Advisory Services on Farmers’ Knowledge of Integrated Disease Management

Abstract

Integrated disease management is an important approach to crop protection because it combines different preventive and control measures to reduce the occurrence and spread of plant diseases while promoting sustainable agricultural production. Farmers require adequate knowledge of disease identification, prevention, monitoring, and appropriate control methods to effectively implement integrated disease management practices. Agricultural advisory services can provide farmers with relevant technical information and practical guidance needed to improve their understanding and management of crop diseases. This study will examine the effect of agricultural advisory services on farmers’ knowledge of integrated disease management. The study will assess farmers’ exposure to agricultural advisory services and determine their level of knowledge regarding integrated approaches to preventing and managing crop diseases. It will also identify areas of disease management where farmers may require additional advisory support. The study will focus on farmers’ knowledge of crop disease identification, disease monitoring, cultural control practices, use of resistant crop varieties, biological control methods, appropriate use of chemical treatments, field sanitation, crop rotation, removal of infected plant materials, and other preventive measures. It will also examine the role of advisory services through farm visits, training programmes, demonstrations, farmer meetings, field days, and agricultural information materials in improving farmers’ knowledge of integrated disease management. A quantitative research approach will be adopted for the study. Data will be collected from selected farmers using structured questionnaires designed to assess their exposure to agricultural advisory services and their knowledge of integrated disease management practices. Data will be analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, while correlation and regression analysis may be used to determine the relationship between advisory service exposure and farmers’ knowledge levels. The study is expected to reveal that farmers with greater access to agricultural advisory services may have higher knowledge of integrated disease management practices. Advisory services are expected to improve farmers’ understanding of disease prevention, monitoring, cultural practices, biological control, and appropriate chemical use. However, inadequate extension contact, limited access to technical information, insufficient training opportunities, and difficulties in obtaining recommended disease management inputs may restrict farmers’ ability to acquire and apply appropriate knowledge. The study will be useful to farmers, agricultural extension agents, crop protection specialists, agricultural development agencies, research institutions, government agricultural departments, non-governmental organisations, and researchers. It may provide useful information for strengthening advisory programmes that promote sustainable disease management and improve farmers’ capacity to protect crops. The findings may also assist stakeholders in developing practical advisory materials and training programmes that respond to farmers’ disease management information needs. The study concludes that agricultural advisory services can play an important role in improving farmers’ knowledge of integrated disease management. It is therefore recommended that agricultural extension agencies strengthen advisory services through regular farm visits, practical demonstrations, field training, farmer meetings, and accessible disease management information. Farmers should also be encouraged to adopt integrated disease management practices that combine appropriate preventive, cultural, biological, and chemical measures for effective and sustainable crop protection.

Keywords: Agricultural advisory services, farmers’ knowledge, integrated disease management, crop diseases, disease prevention, disease monitoring, cultural control, biological control, chemical control, crop protection, disease identification, agricultural extension, sustainable agriculture, farm management, plant health.