Sweet potato, Ipomoea batatas (L), cropping practices and perceived production constraints in Swaziland: implications for pest management

An initial survey showed that insect pest damage is a major production cons traint upon sweet potato production in Swaziland. A questionnaire-based sur vey of growers thereafter revealed that insect pests were perceived by farm ers as a major production constraint, and yet there was an evident lack of knowledge among farmers on aspects of pest biology and management. Certain production and management practices were identified which, if altered, may contribute to a reduction in pest damage. These were frequency of weeding a nd ridging, crop rotation and the use of high yielding, pest-free planting material.