RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

This study investigated the effects of cashew pests and diseases at different production stages and the strategies adopted to deal with the pests and diseases. In the effort to answer the research question, the study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected using focus group discussions, interviews with key respondents, observations and a structured questionnaire completed by 120 cashew farmers in Tunduru district. Secondary data were obtained from written documents such as books and journal articles. It was revealed that cashew pests and diseases were very common during the flowering and leaf-shading stages of the cashew production cycle. The farmers used various methods to deal with the pests and diseases, including traditional methods like pruning and firing. The study recommends that more training in the right and sustainable methods of controlling cashew pests and diseases should be provided to cashew growers.

Agriculture, Cashew Pests and Diseases, Control Strategies, Climate Change and Cashew Production Cycle.