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Output Weaver ants help farmers to capture organic markets.
type Newsletter article
last update: 16/05/2007
Type: Newsletter article
Language English
Year of publication: 2007
Citation: Van Mele, P. and J.F. Vayssières, 2007. Weaver ants help farmers to capture organic markets. Pesticide News 75: 9-11.
Authors: Paul Van Mele and Jean-François Vayssières
Download: 286kb
Summary Weaver ants are predatory insects which kill key pests of many tree crops effectively decreasing the need to use pesticides. Paul Van Mele and Jean-François Vayssières describe how these fascinating insects have been husbanded effectively in Asia to manage pests of citrus and cashew. Their use has recently been extended into Africa in organic cashew, mango and cocoa production. The authors indicate how the expansion of weaver ant husbandry can be encouraged.
Role Organisation
Author Organisation organisation details FAO Plant Production and Protection Division
Author Organisation organisation details International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Author Organisation organisation details Africa Rice Center
Network Organisation organisation details Sustainable Agriculture Theme
Network Organisation organisation details Farmer Field School Network and Resource Centre
Group Keywords
1.1 Socio- economic Sector (OECD) 311 Agriculture
110 Education
410 Environmental protection  
1.4 Target group(s) 3. Intermediary organisations
6. General public/Opinion makers
1. Local communities
4. Research community
2. SMEs/Private sector
5. Decision makers/Policymakers  
2.1 Production System 4. Tree- Crop system (agro-forestry)
1. Mono-culture
2. Mixed cropping system  
2.2 Production Chain 7. Marketing
2. Production & Management
3. Pest & Disease Control  
2.3 Commodity group Food crops
Other products  
2.4 Food Crops Citrus (Citrus)
Coconut (Cocos)
Mango (Mangifera Indica)  
2.5a Agro-Ecology: Thermal zone 1: Tropical  
2.5b Agro-ecology: Altitude zone Lowlands  
2.5c Agro-Ecology: Moisture zone 2. Sub-humid
3. Humid  
3.1 Natural Resource Mgmt. Conservation & Biodiversity  
3.2 Pollution-Environmental Protection 4. Human health
6. Pesticides & toxics
3. Ecosystems  
FFS Topics Agriculture