Climate smart Management of YSA

This study assessed farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and management practices regarding the yellow sugarcane aphid (Sipha flava Forbes) in Tanzanian rice production systems. The pest has recently emerged as a potential threat to rice production in the country, yet information regarding farmer awareness and management responses remains limited. The study aimed to generate evidence to support the development of effective extension and integrated pest management strategies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2 to 18 May 2025 in sixteen major rice-producing regions of Tanzania, namely Arusha, Iringa, Kagera, Kaskazini Unguja, Katavi, Kilimanjaro, Manyara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mwanza, Pwani, Rukwa, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Songwe, and Tabora. These regions were selected because of their importance in national rice production and their representation of different agroecological zones and production systems. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select districts, wards, villages, and respondents. Eligible participants were farmers actively engaged in rice cultivation during the survey period. Respondents were randomly selected using computer-generated random numbers from village sampling frames. A total of 486 rice farmers participated in the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire programmed in KoboToolbox and administered using digital tablets. Information collected included socio-demographic characteristics, farming experience, rice production practices, pest occurrence, extension support, and knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to yellow sugarcane aphid management. Geographic coordinates of survey locations were automatically recorded during interviews. Data were analysed using Stata version 21, while spatial analysis and map production were performed using ArcGIS Pro version 3.2. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis were used to identify factors associated with farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and management practices.