TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT……………………………………………………........................1

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………2

RESEARCH QUESTION………………………………………………………………........3

ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………..4

LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………………….5

METHODOLOGY…………………………………………………………………………...6

QUESTIONNAIRE…………………………………………………………………………7-8

RESULTS…………………………………………………………………………………...9-11

DATA ANALYSIS…………………………………………………………………………12

DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………………13

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...………………………………………....14

APPENDIX……………………………………………………………………………….. .15

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, the researcher would like to thank God for granting her wisdom and understanding needed to complete this project.

Secondly, t he researcher would like to thank her parents for their encouragements while carrying out this S.B.A.

Thirdly, the researcher would like to thank her subject teacher for guiding her through this project.

INTRODUCTION

This S.B.A. is based on pests that affect rice crop production and methods in which they can be controlled.

TITLE

To investigate the effects of pests on agricultural crop

RESEARCH QUESTION

Rice (orizasativa) is locally grown on large scale. It is a high yielding crop and produces a lot without being affected by pest if affected by pest, the productivity level decreases.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this project primarily focuses on some of the pests affecting rice crops, the effects of these pests on rice crops and some measures used to control them and its impact on agricultural production in Kildonan Village Corentyne Berbice during the year 2014. In order to get various views on some of the pests and effects they have on the production of agricultural items, questionnaires were prepared and distributed among farmers throughout Kildonan Village Corentyne Berbice. After obtaining the results, it shows that out of fifteen (15) farmers who were selected, all of them were affected by pests.

From the research and conclusions it was found out that there are some possible solutions to this problem. The graphs were included to show the results collected and analytical over the view on these results.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Sources -

Primary sources includes: reports, agricultural journal

Secondary sources includes: textbook, internet references, personal interviews.

METHODOLOGY

In order to obtain accurate information on pests affecting rice crops in Kildonan Village Corentyne Berbice, a sample of fifteen questionnaires were distributed to fifteen farmers residing in kildonanVillage. In this area a few of these residents were farmers who were randomly chosen. One of the persons surveyed was an entomologist who is a scientist which studies insects or pests mainly who affects plant crops. The questionnaires were distributed in order to investigate the effects of pests on rice crops and what can be done to resolve the situation.

QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear farmers,

This is an investigation being carried out to find out about the pest affecting rice crop and some control measures. This survey is being conducted as an agricultural science S.B.A in which I am in the process of completing. Questions should be answered honestly and truthfully so that accurate information is received. Being given the information required, I assure you that you will be treated confidentially.

Thanking you in anticipation

Micinthia Patterson

1. How long have you been a rice farmer?

Under 1 year ( )

3-5 years ( )

2-3 years ( )

Over 5 years ( )

2. Was your rice crop ever affected by pest?

Yes ( )

No ( )

3. What are some pests that affect your rice?

Weed ( ) Caterpillar ( )

Ghandi ( ) Stemborers ( )

White fly ( )

4. What are the effects of pests on your rice crop?

Smaller yield ( ) Loss of income ( )

Low quality grains ( ) Increase in expenditure ( )

5. How often do you treat your infested crop?

Every week ( ) Twice per a month ( )

Every two months ( ) Other ( )

6. At what stage of maturity is your crop being affected by pests?

____________________________________________

7. What was the average loss cost by the pests?

5,000-10,000 ( ) 20,000-50,000 ( )

100,000 and over ( ) Other ( )

8. What impact does it have on you?

________________________________________

9. What measures of control do you use most on pests affecting your rice crop?

Chemical control ( ) Biological control ( )

Cultural control ( ) I.P.M ( )

10. If chemical control is used what type of pesticide is used

Stomic poison ( ) Systemic poison ( )

Contact poison ( ) Fumigant ( )

11. Does the use of pesticides help in the control of pests?

Yes ( )

No ( )

12. What are some pesticides used to control pests on your rice crop?

Fastac ( ) Ninja ( )

Bestac ( ) Flip ( )

Other ( )

RESULTS

Figure 1

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FIGURE 2

[pic]

Figure 3

[pic]

DATA ANALYSIS

In order to analyze the raw data collected the information was grouped and placed on three graphs.

The first figure being a pie chart which highlights the pests that have a negative effect on rice production. Most of the farmers, which amounted to 40% of the respondents strongly agreed that ghandi severely affected their rice crops. The second highest response was that heartworm was another major pest of crop along with stem borers. Both stem borers and heartworm had 20% each for the responses from the farmers. Another 13% of the respondents agreed that caterpillars affected their rice crops the most. The remaining 7% stated that white fly was a major pest on their rice crop.

The bar graph shows the effects of pests on rice crops. From the graph it can be seen that 45% of farmers claimed that low quality grains are being produced due to the pests affecting the rice crop. While on the other hand 25% of farmers strongly felt that less is being produced since pests affects their crops. In addition 20% of farmers agreed that income is lost because of the damage caused by pests. 10% of farmers strongly claimed that expenditure increases.

The column graph shows some of the measures used by farmers to control pests, it was determined that 25% of farmers use chemical control for pests affecting them. It was also observed that 20% of the farmers surveyed used cultural control, 15% of the farmers use biological control while 10% use IPM (Integrated Pest Management) and the other 5% preferred other control measures.

DISCUSSION

Pests affecting rice crops are very prevalent in Kildonan Village. It negatively impacted on farmers yields resulting in losses.

As shown in figure 1, pests such as ghandi, white flies, caterpillars, stem borers and heartworms affect farmers in the community surveyed, according to Mr. Kyte, who is a major rice farmer in the Kildonan backlands, different pests may affect rice crops at different times and some will even attack simultaneously. When this happens the rice farmer must act immediately, first to contain the pest and subsequently eradicate it from the field all together. This could be a very time consuming and costly exercise.

Chemical treatment is available. The cost however, is sometimes prohibitive and may not be readily accessible, especially to small scale farmers, these farmers often resort to cultural or other means of pest control with mixed results.

Many farmers access loans from commercial banks and established rice millers to assist in the cultivation of their rice crops. According to the severity of pest infestation entire crops may be lost resulting in serious financial difficulties and may also cause loss of property and disintegration of the family unites.

The business of rice production remains a risky business since success in this venture is heavily dependent on some important factors that are not entirely under the farmer’s control.

Due to the importance of rice production being one of our country’s staple products for the local and foreign markets, subsidies of different kinds are provided by the government to farmers to reduce the impact on cost of production. Some of these subsidies may include provision of some basic tools, fertilizers and reduction in consumption tax on petroleum products.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Pests affecting rice is indeed a major problem in Bushlot Village Corentyne Berbice. Pests have discouraged many farmers from practicing agricultural activities and caused extreme challenges. Pests do not only affect rice crops alone but other agricultural products for example tomato and calulu. The success rate however is very low thus, farmers affected experience several losses and also a negative impact on their lives.

In order to reduce the losses caused by pests affecting rice crops, the following measures should be taken into consideration:

1) The government should try to improve some of the measures used to get rid of pests.

2) Farmers should try to plant their crops before the season in which pests will affect their rice crops.

3) Farmers should be provided with assistance or help when necessary.

APPENDIX

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Information was obtained from the following sources:

1. WWW.google.com

2 .WWW.bing.com

3 .C.X.C Agricultural Science Third edition by: Sahadeo Ragoonanan