Bungoma teacher wins hearts of international scientists with powerful presentation at major conference

By Godfrey Wamalwa.

• Whiteflies, notorious for spreading devastating viral diseases in tomato plants, have led to significant economic losses for farmers in the region.
• Factors contributing to the whitefly abundance included greenhouse use, watering frequency, tomato variety, and farm size.
• Alarmingly, 98% of farmers relied on chemical pesticides to combat whiteflies, with only 1.6% adopting non-chemical methods.

Mr. Murani Ezekiel, a distinguished member of the Association of Kenyan Entomologists and a teacher at St. Mary’s Kibabii Boys High School, has won the hearts of many after he delivered a critical presentation at the recent NMK-AKE International scientific conference held at the National Museum of Kenya, Nairobi.

Scientists from all over the world attended the conference.

His talk, titled: “Whitefly Population Distribution in Bungoma County and Their Role in the Spread of Tomato Viral Diseases,” highlighted the severe impact of whitefly infestations on tomato crops and proposed integrated pest management (IPM) strategies as a sustainable solution.

The conference, officially opened by Felix Koskei, the Chief of staff and head of public service on June 7, featured notable guests including Principal secretary Ummi Bashir, Prof. Mary Gikungu, and Mr. Edwi Abonyo. Keynote speakers included Dr. Esther Kioko ,Dr.Muo Kasina chair Association of Kenyan Entomologist, Prof. Gideon HN Nyamaso, Prof. Suresh K. Raina from Nagpur University of India, Dr. Geoffrey Mwachala of the National Museums of Kenya, Prof. Beverley Glover from the University of Cambridge, UK, Prof. Daniel Olago from the University of Nairobi, Prof. Marta Larh from Cambridge University, UK, and Prof. Dirk Verschuren from Ghent University, Belgium.

The meeting showcased the growing threat of whitefly infestations to agriculture, particularly in Bungoma County where tomatoes play a vital role in both the local economy and daily meal preparation.

Whiteflies, notorious for spreading devastating viral diseases in tomato plants, have led to significant economic losses for farmers in the region.

In his detailed survey, Mr. Ezekiel explored the prevalence and distribution of whiteflies across various sub-counties in Bungoma, including Kimilili, Kabuchai, Sirisia, Mt. Elgon, and Kanduyi.

The study involved meticulous inspections of both field and greenhouse tomato crops, assessing the presence of whitefly colonies, damage indicators such as wilting, leaf distortion, yellowing, and honeydew deposits.

Employing zigzag sampling on randomly selected tomato plants, the survey revealed alarming statistics: Kimilili was the most affected with a 47.1% prevalence rate, followed by Mount Elgon (21%), Sirisia (20%), Kabuchai (18%), and Kanduyi (12%).

Further analysis using binary logistic regression in R statistical software indicated a 1.8 times higher likelihood of whitefly infestation on irrigated farms compared to non-irrigated ones.

Factors contributing to the whitefly abundance included greenhouse use, watering frequency, tomato variety, and farm size.

The FIFI F1 variety was significantly affected (48.2% prevalence, P=0.0021), whereas the Carl J variety showed the least impact (11.6% prevalence, P=0.0432).

Alarmingly, 98% of farmers relied on chemical pesticides to combat whiteflies, with only 1.6% adopting non-chemical methods.

The findings suggest that larger farms experienced higher prevalence rates than smaller ones, underscoring the need for more effective pest management strategies.

Mr. Ezekiel emphasized the importance of integrating pest management approaches, urging the public to embrace IPM strategies to mitigate the whitefly threat.

IPM involves combining biological control, cultural practices, mechanical and physical controls, and the judicious use of chemical pesticides to manage pest populations sustainably.

The call to action at the conference was clear: without appropriate measures, whiteflies could continue to wreak havoc on tomato crops in Bungoma County.

By adopting IPM strategies, farmers can protect their crops, reduce economic losses, and ensure the long-term viability of tomato production in the region.

As the agricultural community rallies to address this pressing issue, the collaborative efforts highlighted at the conference serve as a beacon of hope for sustainable pest management and agricultural resilience in Bungoma County.