EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF AGROECOLOGICAL PRACTICES ON PEST CONTROL AND CROP YIELD IN SMALLHOLDER FARMS

Abstract

This study explored the impacts of agroecological practices—including intercropping, cover cropping, organic amendments, and crop rotations—on pest control, natural enemy populations, and crop yields in smallholder farming systems. Through field trials conducted across twenty smallholder farms, data was collected on pest incidence, natural enemy abundance, crop yields, and farmer perceptions. Results demonstrated significant improvements in all measured parameters when agroecological practices were employed. Specifically, experimental plots exhibited approximately 40% lower pest incidence (mean reduction from 13.8 to 8.3 pests per plant) and a substantial 75% increase in natural enemy abundance (mean increase from 3.1 to 5.5 enemies per trap) compared to conventional, pesticide-dependent control plots. These ecological enhancements translated into a significant yield improvement of about 24%, increasing from an average of 2,204 kg/ha in control farms to 2,724 kg/ha in agroecologically managed farms. Farmer surveys revealed favorable perceptions toward agroecological methods, particularly regarding their efficacy, ease of adoption, and farmers' willingness to sustain these practices. The consistency of these positive outcomes across diverse smallholder contexts indicates that agroecological practices provide a scalable and sustainable approach to enhancing crop productivity, ecological resilience, and farmer livelihoods. Future directions include exploring long-term ecological and economic implications, addressing socio-economic barriers to widespread adoption, and optimizing practices tailored to specific regional conditions.