Finding natural solutions for devastating insects pests in West Africa

Dr Yeyinou Laura Estelle Loko opens in new tab/window had dreamed of becoming a researcher since childhood. Growing up in Benin, she observed the struggles of smallholder farmers and felt there was an opportunity to help through scientific research.

During research for her doctoral thesis, she became aware of the devastating effects of insect attacks on food crops — and inadequacies in the current approach to control them:

This revelation led her to seek environmentally friendly control methods to protect crops against insects.

Laura went on to get her PhD in plant genetic resources and crop protection from the University of Abomey-Calavi opens in new tab/window, Benin, in 2013. She is now an Associate Professor of Zoology and Genetics at the National University of Sciences, Technologies, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM) opens in new tab/window in the Republic of Benin. She continues to focus on reducing losses caused by insect pests.

This year, her research with food security was recognized when she was awarded a 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World.

About 70% of yam chip production in Benin is carried out by women. The prevailing method of control was insecticide use. With high levels of illiteracy in the community, Laura observed that many farmers were unable to read the labels of the synthetic pesticides. This was creating a raft of negative consequences:

Cases of food poisoning because of incorrect insecticide were recorded. There was also the negative impact of these insecticides on the environment. I wanted to urgently find a solution to help these women.

In the framework of developing a control strategy, Laura and her research team have explored the use of various biological control agents. This includes looking at natural enemies of the insect pest; the use of microorganisms such as entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and assessing the biological activities of essential oils of lemon grass and citronella grass.

Her proposal — a first for yam farmers — is to use an integrated pest management strategy combining the various biological methods tested.

Research vs realities of funding and resources

The main challenge for Laura in progressing her work has been obtaining funding. Her research on Dinoderus porcellus was supported by funding from the World Academy of Sciences opens in new tab/window (TWAS), which supports the advancement of science in developing countries.

Laura and the research team have now been able to publish the results of each biological control agent tested in scientific publications. The critical next step is to ensure the information reaches those who need it most.

“We are currently seeking extra funding so we can disseminate the advice to farmers throughout the country,” she said.

There are clear routes to sharing information with farming communities, such as local rural radio, which is widely listened to. The research team also want to disseminate the seeds of yam landraces that are resistant to pest attacks.

Being a female scientist from the Global South has led to differences in her scientific experiences, Laura said:

I live and work in an environment where there is very little local scientific funding. Laboratories are very poorly equipped to conduct cutting-edge research. Consequently, some parts of my research are oriented to align with the requirements of potential funders. It can often also boil down to activities that can reasonably be carried out with the available equipment.

Laura also observes how diversity is sometimes becoming a positive when looking for funding:

It should be noted that more and more female candidates for certain competitive calls for funding have an advantage.

“Science should be shared.”

It is not only with funding that Laura observes some positive support. She also notes instances of publishing made easier thanks to her location:

“A benefit of being from the (Global) South is that I’ve been able to publish for free in some Impact Factor journals,” she said.

This has helped her share her findings more widely.

She has also benefited from open access publishing:

She believes the possibility of some free opportunities for researchers from southern countries would help more work to be published in open access journals. This stems in part from the priorities of the country scientists operate in:

Different countries have different funding allocated for science. It seems unfair if you can’t get your research out there because there isn’t funding in your country. Science should be shared.

Continued investment to protect against new threats

Currently, Laura and her research team are working on developing the formulation for a biopesticide based on entomopathogenic microorganisms and medicinal plants for crop protection. She describes this as a big focus that could help make a significant difference to food security.

The progression of this important work is partly funded by her university but also needs international support and funding:

Researchers need support. Investing in research could protect farmers and economies from devastating losses and new threats. With support, the expertise of scientists across the continent can be unlocked, so we in turn can give farmers the tools they need.