Pest Identification and Diagnosis in Fiji: Dealing with ‘Unknowns’

Abstract Diagnosing problems caused by crop pests, diseases and abiotic factors is a common challenge faced by extension officers serving farmers as ‘plant doctors’ in the field. They present with varying levels of complexity and are often classified as ‘unknowns’. ‘Unknowns’ can be categorised as either ‘simple’, ‘complex’ or ‘complete’. This case study discusses each type of unknown, providing examples of each. It then explores how information and communication technologies are used by the Fiji Plant Doctor Network (FPDN) operating on social media platforms, are able to help plant doctors identify and manage pest and disease unknowns. Despite the obvious potential that this network offers, a number of challenges remain. Information © The Authors 2024