Farmers perception of climate change on aphids dynamics

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Mutondwa Masindi Phophi

Department of Agriculture, Land, and Rural Development Limpopo Province, South Africa (Madzivhandila College of
Agriculture)

: Expert Opin Environ Biol

Abstract

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Smallholder farmers depend on agricultural production for income and household sustenance. Smallholder farmers in the Vhembe District experience aphids as major problematic insect pests infecting vegetable yields. Problematic insect pests in the Vhembe region are highly influenced by climate change factors such as increased temperature, increased drought spells, warmer winters, and poorly distributed rainfall. The temperature has gradually increased in Limpopo Province in recent decades, indicating the occurrence of climate change. About 161 smallholder farmers were interviewed about the observed changes in aphids due to climate warming. The data was collected using quantitative methods and subjected to descriptive analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Increased aphid mobility, increased aphid generations, and increased egg production were some of the changes observed by smallholder farmers due to climate change. According to the farmer's perceptions, climate change has influenced the color of aphids, making them darker and developing wings. It can be concluded that climate change influences the behavior and physical appearance of aphids. There is a need to formulate mitigation and adaptation strategies to manage aphids’ challenges in vegetable production in smallholder farming systems.

Biography

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Mutondwa Masindi Phophi is a Ph.D. holder in the field of Crop Sciences. She is an Agricultural Assistant Practitioner in the Vhembe District in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. She has seven research articles and three book chapters published in peer-reviewed journals. She has supervised two MSc students in Crop science and one Ph.D. student in Agricultural Extension. Dr. Phophi has more than seven years of experience in the field.