A comparative assessment on rodent impacts and cultural perceptions of ecologically based rodent management in three Afro-Malagasy farming regions

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dc.contributor.authorConstant, Natasha Louise
dc.contributor.authorSwanepoel, Lourens
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, Samual T.
dc.contributor.authorSoarimalala, Voahangy
dc.contributor.authorGoodman, Steven M.
dc.contributor.authorMassawe,Apia T.
dc.contributor.authorMulungu, Loth S.
dc.contributor.authorMakundi, Rhodes H.
dc.contributor.authorMdangi, Mashaka E.
dc.contributor.authorTaylor, Peter John
dc.contributor.authorBelmain, Steven R.
dc.date.accessioned2026-05-13T16:49:10Z
dc.date.available2026-05-13T16:49:10Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionJournal Article
dc.description.abstractRodents generate negative consequences for smallholder farmers in Africa that directly impact household and livestock damage, food security and public health. Ecologically Based Rodent Management (EBRM) seeks sustainable solutions for the mitigation of rodent damage through assessments of rodent population dynamics, agro-ecosystems and socio-cultural contexts. We adopt a comparative approach across three rural Afro-Malagasy smallholder farming regions in South Africa, Tanzania and Madagascar to assess the household impacts of rodent pests and current perceptions and preferences associated with several rodent control measures. We conducted focus groups questionnaires and interviews in different study site locations. Rodents assert multiple impacts on Afro-Malagasy farmers demonstrating recurrent and emerging agricultural and household costs, and public health impacts. We identify a significant knowledge gap in educating communities about the application of different EBRM approaches in favour of acute poisons that are perceived to be more effective. Cultural issues and taboos also have a significant impact on the social acceptance of rodent hunting as well as biological control using indigenous predators. We advocate for an enhanced investigation of the socio-cultural beliefs associated with different rodent practices to understand the factors underlying social acceptance. A collaborative approach that integrates the perspectives of
dc.identifier.citationThis article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi: 10.1111/1749-4877.12447
dc.identifier.otherDOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12447
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7578
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInternational Society of Zoological Sciences
dc.subjectEcologically Based Rodent Management
dc.subjectCrop Damage
dc.subjectFarmer Survey
dc.subjectBeliefs
dc.subjectAfrica
dc.titleA comparative assessment on rodent impacts and cultural perceptions of ecologically based rodent management in three Afro-Malagasy farming regions
dc.typeArticle

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