Farmers’ Knowledge, Awareness, and Planting Material Practices Related to Cassava Mosaic Disease in The Gambia

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a major viral disease threatening cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa. Farmer knowledge and management practices play an important role in limiting the spread of CMD, particularly in systems where farmers recycle planting materials. Despite the increasing importance of cassava in The Gambia as both food and cash crop, information regarding farmers’ awareness and perceptions of CMD remains limited. This study assessed farmers’ knowledge of CMD symptoms, causes, spread, and management practices in major cassava-growing regions of The Gambia. Structured interviews were conducted with 44 cassava farmers in West Coast Region (WCR), Lower River Region (LRR), and North Bank Region (NBR) during a nationwide CMD epidemiological survey. The findings revealed that 95.5% of farmers had no knowledge of the causes of CMD, although some farmers could visually recognize diseased plants. Most farmers (65.9%) sourced cassava cuttings from previous harvests, while only 4.5% obtained planting materials from research institutions. Furthermore, 86% of farmers reported having no prior training or technical support on cassava disease management. The widespread recycling and exchange of infected planting materials among farmaers likely contributes to the high CMD incidence observed in cassava fields across the country. The study highlights major knowledge gaps among cassava farmers and underscores the urgent need for farmer sensitization, strengthened extension services, and dissemination of clean planting materials to support sustainable cassava production in The Gambia.