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Diagnosis of management of bacterial wilt and late blight in potato in Ethiopia: A systems thinking perspective

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Title Diagnosis of management of bacterial wilt and late blight in potato in Ethiopia: A systems thinking perspective
 
Creator Damtew, Elias
Tafesse, S.
Lie, R.
Mierlo, B. van
Lemaga, B.
Sharma, K.
Struik, P.C.
Leeuwis, Cees
 
Subject potatoes
ralstonia solanacearum
phytophthora infestans
systems
disease management
 
Description Potato is one of the most important food crops for smallholder farmers in the Ethiopian highlands. Diseases, particularly bacterial wilt (caused by Ralstonia solanacearum) and late blight (caused by Phytophthora infestans), are among the major constraints of potato production, despite continuous efforts to control them. Bacterial wilt and late blight are complex problems with multiple technical and institutional features, involving multiple actors with different perceptions and understanding, not only of the problem but also of possible solutions. Appreciating such complexity, this study adopted a systems thinking perspective. It aimed to explore actors’ understanding of the complex problem situation and its implication for the management of the diseases at a collective level. Using a multi-stakeholder workshop and in-depth interviews, a qualitative study was conducted with actors that are directly or indirectly involved in the management of the two diseases. Results showed that actors essentially overlooked key systemic problems in the management of the two diseases. This is mainly reflected in actors’ tendency to give event-level responses, shift responsibilities and engage in a mutual blaming to the problem of bacterial wilt and late blight. Lack of a preventive disease management culture, limited recognition of interdependencies among activities of actors, power inequalities, and top-down and linear approaches in information and knowledge sharing are identified as key structural problems that are underrated by the actors. We contend that the most appropriate way forward towards the management of both diseases is designing and implementing management strategies that, on the one hand, are preventive of disease epidemics, and, on the other hand, foster horizontal information sharing, learning and collective action among the local actors in the system. Digital platforms, particularly mobile-based technologies, can play a role in catalyzing new forms of information sharing, broader learning, and collaboration among farmers and local actors.
 
Date 2022-03
2018-04-03T19:13:15Z
2018-04-03T19:13:15Z
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Damtew, E.; Tafesse, S.; Lie, R.; Mierlo, B.van.; Lemaga, B.; Sharma, K.; Struik, P.C.; Leeuwis, C. 2018. Diagnosis of management of bacterial wilt and late blight in potato in Ethiopia: A systems thinking perspective. NJAS Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences. (Netherlands). ISSN 1573-5214. Published online 29 Mar 2018:13 p.
1573-5214
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/92015
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.njas.2018.03.003
 
Language en
 
Rights Open Access
 
Format 13 p.
 
Source Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences