Keeping pests at bay: Key to sustainable agriculture in Nigeria’s urban areas

Onome Amuge

Nigeria, with its vast expanse of rural land dedicated to agriculture, is facing an increasingly urgent need to innovate. With a rapidly expanding population and the escalating cost of food sparking a food crisis, the country is seeking innovative ways to address the challenge of feeding its people. One of these promising strategies is urban farming, which seeks to harness the potential of underutilised urban spaces for agricultural purposes.

From rooftop gardens to community gardens, vertical farming to hydroponics, urban agriculture encompasses a diverse range of practices that bring agriculture to the heart of urban and peri-urban environments. By utilising underutilized spaces in cities, urban agriculture not only produces fresh, nutritious food but also transforms urban landscapes into vibrant, productive, and sustainable areas.

While urban farming offers a promising solution to Nigeria’s food challenges, it is not without its challenges.

One of the identified major obstacles that the country’s urban areas  must confront is pest management. This is as effective urban pest management is considered to be vital, given the critical role that agriculture plays in the Nigerian economy. Rodents, insects, and birds are seen as examples of pests that can cause significant damage to crops, leading to reduced yields, economic losses, and potential food insecurity.

Experts in the field of agriculture emphasise the significance of effective pest management in urban areas, particularly in maximising agricultural output and guaranteeing food security. They noted that urban areas, with their high levels of human activity, present an inviting environment for pests, who thrive in close proximity to human food sources, waste, and structures.

Pests like the whitefly are prevalent in urban areas and can have a devastating impact on crop yields. A study published in the Nigerian Journal of Agriculture found that the whitefly was responsible for significant reductions in the yields of crops like tomatoes, cassava, and cowpea. Moreover, the widespread use of pesticides, which is common in urban agriculture, has proven ineffective in controlling whitefly populations, leading to high levels of pesticide resistance.

In addition,  inadequate waste management practices in cities, such as improper disposal of waste have created favourable conditions for pests such as cockroaches, flies, and rodents to thrive. These pests, which are commonly found in urban areas, also worsen the challenges of urban agriculture.

In light of these challenges, DFortune Pest Solutions Ltd, a leading provider of pest management services, recently organised a groundbreaking conference to discuss the pressing issues related to urban pest management.

The conference, themed “Current Standards in Urban Pest Management”, brought together prominent figures in the industry, who shared their insights and expertise on the latest trends, challenges, and solutions in the field. It also aimed to raise awareness of the impact of urban pest management on public health and the environment and to identify effective strategies for addressing these challenges.

The panelists discussed a wide range of topics, including the latest technological advancements, efficient equipment, branding, and public health implications in the pest control industry. They underlined the significance of comprehensive training, innovative techniques, and community engagement as essential components of successful pest management.

In his keynote address, San Micheal Somoye, a pest control expert, outlined that effective pest management entails achieving the desired outcome efficiently, while management involves careful planning, organisation, and efficient use of resources to attain the desired goals.

Somoye highlighted the critical importance of time management in pest control, asserting that proper allocation of time and resources is pivotal to achieving success. He also underscored the significance of knowledge and information in pest and vector control, emphasising the need for pest control practitioners to remain up to date on the latest information and techniques and to consult experts as needed.

Somoye also dwelled on the importance of client relationship management in service-oriented fields like pest control. He underscored the vital role of maintaining high-quality relationships with clients, noting that satisfied clients are essential for the sustained growth of any business. He advised practitioners to demonstrate professionalism, courtesy, and respect when interacting with clients, ensuring they receive the highest quality of service.

Kehinde Kemabonta, professor of Entomology at the University of Lagos, discussed the challenges posed by urbanisation, climate change, and pesticide resistance in urban pest management. She advocated for a multi-faceted approach, including biological control, policy measures, and public education.

Looking ahead to the future of pest management, Kemabonta advocated for increased investment in education, regulatory oversight, and community engagement as critical components of effective urban pest management. These measures, she argued, would help to mitigate the negative impact of pests on human health, the environment, and agricultural productivity.

Rametu Momodu, director of veterinary medicine and allied products at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), voiced her concerns about the improper use of pesticides and its potential harm to public health.

On the subject of pesticide misuse, Momodu spoke on the severe health and environmental risks associated with improper use of pesticides. She advocated for stricter regulatory standards to safeguard public health and the environment, suggesting that these guidelines would help ensure that pest control measures do not inadvertently create additional problems.

Adding to the range of perspectives, Shofu Babalola, managing director of SB Fumigation Services Ltd., a pest control company based in Lagos, presented an innovative digital solution developed by SHOFU B SOLUTIONS LTD for Pestshop.ng, a subsidiary of DFortune Pest Solutions Ltd. The web app enables pest control operators to list their services, equipment, and products.

Ogbole Samson, team lead for Eupepsia Place Limited (Soilless Farm Lab), speaking in an online discussion organised by Afrimash Company Limited, an e-commerce company that offers and supplies agricultural items, noted that pests are not unique to Africa or Nigeria, but a global issue that affects agriculture worldwide. He also argued that they are not a localised problem confined to one country, region, or continent, but rather an epidemic that affects farmers globally.

“Before looking into the impediments to pest management, we should define that pests will be any biological entity capable of causing economic loss on crops. So, either it is affecting the seed you are going to plant or affecting the plant that is growing or affecting the products that you have stored. Either way, we call them pests,” he stated.

Samson categorised the management of pests into four key areas: Pest Spectrum, Pest Management Technology, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and Pest Management Resources.

He explained that Pest Spectrum involves understanding the various types of pests and their characteristics, Pest Management Technology refers to the different tools and methods used to control pests, IPM is a comprehensive approach that combines different pest control techniques in an environmentally friendly manner, and Pest Management Resources include the personnel, funding, and equipment required to effectively manage pests.

To overcome the challenges of pest control and management, the agricultural production expert highlighted several future developments in the field. These include:

Pheromones:  Samson explained that phenomes play various roles in insect communication and behaviour. Each insect species has unique pheromones, each with specific functions. In some cases, pheromones attract the opposite sex, as in traps that use pheromones to lure insects. In the case of armyworms, pheromones can act as early warning signals for impending outbreaks, allowing farmers to take preventive measures before the infestation reaches damaging levels.

“In using pheromones, and the pheromones are produced in the lab, you must be able to use them in their right concentration, right time, and the right distance,” he advised.

Biopesticides: Samson highlighted the use of biopesticides, which are pest control agents derived from natural sources such as plant alkaloids. He identified pyrethrin, a commonly used biopesticide, as an example of an effective, plant-derived pest control agent.

Biological Control: Biological control, according to Samson, involves the use of natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to manage pests on the farm or in storage areas.  He explained that pathogenic microbes, such as specifically bred viruses, bacteria, protozoa, or fungi, can be introduced to target pests. These microbes either consume the pests or infect them, resulting in the pests’ demise. 

Hormone Mimics : Hormone mimics, such as juvenile hormone, are another effective approach to pest management, according to Samson. Juvenile hormone regulates the transition of pests from their larval stage to the adult stage. By introducing synthetic juvenile hormone, pest development can be delayed, preventing the insects from reaching their destructive adult stage.

Recombinant DNA technology: This method, Samson noted, holds promise for more effective pest control in the future, although it is not without its controversies.  He explained that this technology enables the manipulation of the genetic code of pests, potentially leading to more effective and targeted pest control. Samson also noted that cloning can also be used to produce more resistant crops, either through the creation of hybrid plants or by activating a plant’s natural defenses through bio-positive selection.

Integrated Pest Control and Management: Samson emphasised the importance of understanding the pathogenic history of the farmland, the type of plant, and the behavior of pests before committing to growing crops. He advised farmers to conduct a thorough analysis, including the factors that affect pest density, distribution, and behaviour. This information, he said, is crucial in implementing an effective Integrated Pest Management  approach that takes into account both natural and human-made factors in controlling pest populations.

Ecological Approach to Pest Control and Management: For a comprehensive approach to pest control, Samson suggested that farmers should adopt an ecological approach. This involves understanding the ecology of the farmland, including the interactions between different organisms, environmental factors, and the different stages in the life cycle of pests.