MOBILE PHONE–BASED DECISION SUPPORT ENHANCES INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT ADOPTION AND REDUCES PESTICIDE USE AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Inadequate adoption of IPM among smallholder farmers is partly explained by the lack of timely and relevant information on pests, which leads to unnecessary crop protection products use and non-sustainable crop production. This study evaluated the causal effect of mobile phone–based decision support on IPM adoption and pesticide use among smallholder maize farmers in Abuja, Nigeria. A randomized controlled trial was conducted during the 2024 maize season, assigning 60 participating farmers to receive SMS messages with alerts about pest infestations and management techniques each week (treatment group), while two other groups received the standard extension service information (control group). Data were collected on IPM adoption, pesticide application frequency, and yield. Logistic regression was used to estimate treatment effects, controlling for farmer characteristics. Farmers who received the SMS alerts had a higher rate of adopting IPM practices (72%) than those who used the conventional extension services (41%). The large treatment effect was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Pesticide application frequency decreased by 25% (p = 0.005), with no significant yield penalty (p = 0.47). Logistic regression models showed that farmers who received the SMS pest management alerts had a significantly higher probability of adopting IPM techniques (odds ratio = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.1-5.6, p < 0.001). Mobile phone–based decision support substantially improved IPM adoption and reduced pesticide use without compromising yield. The study findings demonstrate the potential of using digital extension services to promote climate-smart, environmentally sustainable pest management practices among smallholder farmers in Nigeria.