INSECT PESTS OF TOMATO AND POTATO, AND THEIR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ADOPTED BY FARMERS OF KATHMANDU VALLEY

A survey conducted from January to April across Ramkot, Gotthatar, Lele, and Gamcha studied insect pests in tomato and potato crops and the pest management methods used by local farmers in Kathmandu Valley. Of the 97 randomly selected farmers, 35% were aged 31-40, with most being women. Despite 75% having only primary education, 44% had received training in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Major pests identified included the South American Tomato Leaf Miner, Tomato Fruit Worm, and Potato Tuber Moth (PTM), with the former two causing significant economic losses, particularly in Lalitpur. Drip irrigation was used by 76% of farmers due to its water efficiency, and crop damage in tomatoes averaged 52%, while potatoes saw 35% damage in Lalitpur. To manage pests, farmers employed various methods: 93% used cultural controls, 24% used biological controls, 29% semiochemicals, and 57% relied on chemical pesticides. Botanical pesticides like Artemisia vulgaris, Eupatorium, and Azadirachtin were often used with cattle urine, and sex pheromone traps were also used. Due to limited knowledge, 24% of farmers applied higher-than-recommended pesticide doses. Major challenges included pest infestations, diseases, fertilizer, irrigation, and labor issues.