Abstract:
Termites have been regarded as serious pests o f agricultural crops, forest trees,
and buildings in West Wollega, Ethiopia, contributing to severe soil degradation
problems by reducing vegetation and leaving the soil surface barren and exposed
to the elements o f erosion. A multidisciplinary team o f five scientists carried out a
participatory systems analysis o f the termite situation, farming systems and
broader agro-environment o f West Wollega zone from April to July 1998. The
main objective o f the study was to analyse the termite problem from a dynamic
systems perspective so as to better understand the cause-effect relationships and
to propose a systems-oriented, integrated and participatory way o f managing the
pest and the damage caused by it. The methodology involved a participatory
systems analysis o f the problem situation involving all relevant stakeholders at
different levels o f hierarchies. A sampling framework was developed to enable the
systematic analysis and classification of the zone, farm systems, field types and
farmers. The systems analysis demonstrated that a diversity o f different but
interrelated factors interact with, and influence each other resulting in what is
manifested as the termite problem. Ecological changes resulting from increasing
human activities, unsustainable land use practices and mismanagement o f natural
resources are identified as the major cause of the recent spread and intensification o f
the termite problems. The consequences o f termite infestation are reduced farm
productivity, land degradation and increased vulnerability o f resource poor farmers.
It is noted that past interventions focused on termite control with chemicals without
incorporating farmers’ indigenous coping strategies and therefore had little impact.
The study concludes that the termite situation is complex and diverse with numerous
different linkages and influencing factors, and suggests holistic interventions that
incorporate stakeholders’ priorities and needs in the management of the problem.
Recommendations are thus made for systems oriented and integrated approaches to
minimise the termite situation by strengthening farmer participation in research and
development and establishing a working group o f relevant stakeholders (farmers,
extensionists, researchers, NGOs etc.) to systematically co-ordinate research and
development activities.
