Zimbabwe: Mango farmers tackle an invasive fruit fly pest

Mango farmers in Zimbabwe, including Susan Zinoro and Pelegrina Msingwini, are grappling with significant losses due to the invasive fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, which has been spreading and causing significant damage to their crops, leading to substantial income losses and challenging their livelihoods. This issue is particularly critical in the regions of Mutoko, Murehwa, and Zvimba, which are significant mango-producing areas. In response, the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) has developed an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) package, backed by various donors, which includes the introduction of parasitoids, small insects that are natural enemies of the fruit fly, to combat the pest. This biological control method, along with other IPM strategies such as baiting techniques, male fly population reduction, bio-pesticides, and orchard sanitation, is being implemented in a four-year pilot project targeting 4,000 farmers across Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This initiative not only aims to improve food security and nutrition but also to increase income-generation opportunities and reduce poverty among small- and medium-scale mango farmers, with a special focus on women and youth. The project is expected to enhance mango quality and productivity, enabling farmers to meet the necessary phytosanitary standards for both domestic and export markets, including the European Union, and to explore value-added products like juice and jam from mangoes.