Socio‐economic constraints to the adoption of weed control techniques: The case of<i>Striga</i>control in the West African Semi‐Arid Tropics

Abstract

Abstract Striga control methods have been developed to alleviate labour constraints yet smallholder farmers in the West African Semi‐Arid Tropics have been unsuccessful in adopting them. One reason for the low adoption has been the non‐availability of economically feasible and effective techniques that are adapted to local conditions. This paper suggests further constraints, namely the lack of relevant information, e.g. on the economic threshold level that could guide Striga control decision making, and the present land tenure system (where individuals only have usufruct rights to land), as other factors limiting the large‐scale adoption of Striga control methods in the region. It suggests an approach based on a collective understanding of the problem and collective action for controlling Striga in the context of the present land tenure system.