Knowledge gaps and training needs of date palm growers for red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) management in Pakistan

Abstract

Red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is a major constraint to date-palm production; yet effective management depends on growers’ knowledge, training, and adoption of recommended practices. This study assessed these dimensions among 120 date-palm growers from Dera Ismail Khan (Dhakki) and Sukkur (Aseel), Pakistan. A structured survey evaluated growers’ knowledge of RPW, training needs, and adoption of management practices. Growers answered an average of 11.54 of 25 knowledge items correctly (46.2%), indicating a knowledge-gap index of 53.8%. Knowledge was strongest for larval damage, severe infestation symptoms, and pest recognition, but was particularly weak for reporting suspected infestations (4.2%), pheromone-trap use and monitoring (8.3%), prevention (8.3%), and integrated pest management (9.2%). The overall training-need score was 3.36/5 (67.1%), with greatest demand for approved management practices, integrated pest management, safe disposal of infested material, early-stage infestation management, and recognition of early symptoms. Adoption was highest for avoiding trunk injuries (74.2%), recommended pruning (71.7%), and use of healthy planting material (65.8%), but very low for pheromone trapping and monitoring (7.5%), RPW-related training (3.3%), and reporting suspected infestations (1.7%). Overall, growers showed substantial gaps in preventive, monitoring, integrated-management, and institutional aspects of RPW control. Targeted extension and practical training focused on early detection, pheromone-based monitoring, integrated management, safe disposal, and reporting could help strengthen field-level RPW management.