Climate Change Adaptation for Invasive Crop Pest Control in Sub-Saharan Africa: Strategies, Challenges, and Future Solutions

A recent study by Assèdé et al. (2025) titled “Research progress on climate change adaptation strategies to control invasive crop pests in sub-Saharan Africa: a bibliometric and systematic review” published in Frontiers in Climate reveals that invasive pests, such as armyworms, fruit flies, and the coffee berry borer, pose significant threats to food security and farmer incomes by causing severe crop losses

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Climate-smart pest management, including IPM and agro-ecological practices, is essential for combating invasive pests in sub-Saharan Africa.– Assèdé et al. 2025

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of research advancements in managing invasive crop pests within the context of climate change in sub-Saharan Africa. By employing bibliometric analysis, the study examines scientific publications from databases like Scopus, Dimensions, and Google Scholar, covering the period from 1991 to 2024.

Invasive pests, such as armyworms, fruit flies, and the coffee berry borer, pose significant threats to food security and farmer incomes by causing severe crop losses. The study highlights various climate adaptation strategies to mitigate these threats, with a strong emphasis on integrated pest management (IPM), agro-ecological practices, and chemical control methods. IPM approaches include water harvesting, drip irrigation, planting resistant crop varieties, and enhancing production efficiency, while agro-ecological methods focus on reducing pest invasions through environmentally friendly techniques. Although chemical insecticides are sometimes used in emergencies, the research underscores the growing preference for biocontrol methods, agroforestry, and gender-inclusive pest management strategies.

How the Study was Conducted

The study employed a bibliometric and systematic review approach to evaluate research progress on climate change adaptation strategies for managing invasive crop pests in sub-Saharan Africa. Using Scopus, Dimensions, and Google Scholar databases, relevant literature was identified through key search terms such as “crop management,” “climate change,” and “adaptation,” focusing on publications from 1991 to 2024 in English or French. Selection criteria prioritized studies on integrated pest management and climate adaptation specifically within sub-Saharan Africa.

The screening process, facilitated by the CADIMA platform, involved a two-phase inclusion/exclusion review. Initially, 103 papers were identified based on titles and abstracts, followed by a full-text review that refined the selection to 39 documents. A supplementary manual search on Google Scholar further expanded the dataset, culminating in 81 documents for final analysis.

Data extraction and analysis included bibliometric and descriptive assessments using R software, examining publication trends, author influence, and regional contributions. Collaboration network analysis explored relationships among researchers and countries, while thematic analysis identified key research areas and their evolution over time. The study also assessed the impact of major invasive crop pests on agriculture and food security, alongside the effectiveness of various adaptation strategies such as integrated pest management, agro-ecological methods, and gender-responsive approaches. Additionally, gender-based differences in pest management adoption were analyzed, highlighting the role of social factors in adaptation strategies.

What the Authors Found

The authors found that invasive pests such as fall armyworms, fruit flies, and coffee berry borers cause extensive damage to crops, leading to significant yield losses and economic setbacks. These threats highlight the urgent need for effective pest management strategies. In addition, communities are employing various adaptation measures, including integrated pest management (IPM), water harvesting, drip irrigation, and planting resistant crop varieties to enhance agricultural resilience. Agro-ecological practices are proving effective in reducing pest invasions while preserving environmental sustainability. Although chemical insecticides are still used as emergency solutions, there is a notable shift toward biocontrol methods, agroforestry, and gender-specific pest management approaches.

Why is this important?

Food Security: Invasive crop pests can cause significant damage to crops, leading to substantial yield losses. Given the region’s heavy reliance on agriculture for food and livelihood, understanding and developing effective pest management strategies is crucial to ensuring food security and preventing hunger.

Economic Impact: Agriculture is a significant part of the economy in sub-Saharan Africa, employing a large portion of the population. Crop losses due to pests directly affect farmers’ incomes and overall economic stability. Effective pest management strategies can mitigate these losses and support economic growth.

Climate Change Adaptation: Climate change is exacerbating the challenges associated with pest management. Changing weather patterns can lead to the emergence of new pests and the spread of existing ones. The study’s focus on adaptation strategies helps communities prepare for and respond to these changes, enhancing their resilience.

Sustainable Practices: The study highlights the importance of sustainable and innovative pest management practices, such as integrated pest management (IPM) and agro-ecological methods. These practices not only help control pests but also preserve the environment, promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.

Gender Inclusivity: The study acknowledges the role of gender in pest management and the need for gender-specific approaches. By addressing the unique challenges faced by women in agriculture, the study promotes more inclusive and effective pest management strategies.

Regional Disparities: Understanding regional disparities in research output and pest management practices helps identify gaps and areas that require more attention and resources. This knowledge can drive more targeted and effective interventions.

Future Research: The study underscores the need for ongoing research to develop innovative and context-specific pest management strategies. This continuous effort is essential to stay ahead of evolving pest threats and changing climatic conditions.

What the Authors Recommended

• The study emphasizes promoting the widespread adoption of IPM practices, including water harvesting, drip irrigation, planting resistant crop varieties, and improving production efficiency, as well as providing training and resources to farmers to support the effective implementation of IPM strategies.
• The authors advocate and encourage the use of agroecological practices that reduce pest invasions while preserving the environment, as well as developing policies and programs that promote sustainable agricultural practices and reduce reliance on chemical insecticides.
• Conduct targeted research and development in regions with lower scientific output to address the specific pest management challenges they face and foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between regions to bridge the gap in research and implementation.
• Incorporate gender perspectives into pest management strategies, recognizing the unique challenges and needs of women in agriculture, and provide training and support tailored to women farmers to ensure they have the resources and knowledge to effectively manage pests.
• Invest in research and development of biocontrol methods and agroforestry practices that integrate pest management. Implement pilot projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches and encourage their adoption.
• The study also emphasizes fostering regional and international scientific cooperation to enhance research and knowledge sharing on pest management and climate change adaptation.
• In addition, develop collaborative projects and initiatives that bring together researchers, policymakers, and farmers to address the challenges posed by invasive crop pests.
• Furthermore, conduct further research to assess farmers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of existing pest management practices and develop innovative and sustainable pest management strategies tailored to local contexts and climate change scenarios.

Invasive crop pests pose a significant challenge to food security, economic stability, and agricultural sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa, a problem further intensified by climate change. This study highlights the importance of integrated pest management, agro-ecological practices, and biocontrol methods as sustainable solutions to mitigate these threats. Addressing regional disparities in research, fostering gender-inclusive strategies, and promoting scientific collaboration are crucial steps toward enhancing resilience against invasive pests. By investing in innovative, locally tailored adaptation measures, policymakers, researchers, and farmers can work together to secure a more sustainable and food-secure future for the region.

AR Managing Editor (2025). Climate Change Adaptation for Invasive Crop Pest Control in Sub-Saharan Africa: Strategies, Challenges, and Future Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.africanresearchers.org/climate-change-adaptation-for-invasive-crop-pest-control-in-sub-saharan-africa-strategies-challenges-and-future-solutions/