From problem to progress: Rodent management in agricultural settings of sub-Saharan Africa and calling for an urban perspective

Ambroise Dalecky (1) , Ibrahima Sow (1, 2) , Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim Danzabarma (3, 4) , Madougou Garba (5) , Jonas Etougbétché (6) , Sylvestre Badou (6) , Henri-Joël Dossou (6) , Cheikh Tidiane Niang (1, 2) , Ousmane Diene (7) , Idrissa Diallo (8) , Mohamed Seyidna Ali Saghiri (9) , Mohamed El Hady Sidatt (10) , Frank van Steenbergen (11) , Amadou Bocar Bal (2) , Luwieke Bosma (11) , Gualbert Houéménou (6) , Solimane Ag Atteynine (12) , Karmadine Hima (3) , Gauthier Dobigny (4, 13) , Yonas Meheretu (14, 15)

1 LPED - Laboratoire Population-Environnement-Développement
2 UFR S2ATA - Université Gaston Berger - UFR Sciences Agronomiques, de l'Aquaculture et des Technologies Alimentaires [Sénégal]
3 UAM - Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey = Université Abdou Moumouni de Niamey
4 UMR CBGP - Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations
5 Direction Générale de la Protection des Végétaux
6 EPAC - Ecole Polytechnique d'Abomey Calavi
7 Direction de la Protection des Végétaux
8 Service National d’Hygiène
9 Direction de la Protection des Végétaux
10 FAO - FAO Sub-regional Office for Eastern Africa [Addis Ababa, Ethiopie]
11 MetaMeta Research B.V.
12 IER - Institut d'Economie Rurale
13 Institut Pasteur de Madagascar
14 Mekelle University
15 Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies

Highlights: • In Africa, agricultural intensification and urbanization are major changes. • These changes increase the risk of rodent proliferation in rural and urban habitats. • Conventional rodent control relies on reactive, inappropriate use of rodenticides. • Ecologically-Based Rodent Management has been poorly tested in sub-Saharan Africa. • This method can be a realistic, sustainable and environment-friendly alternative. Abstract: In sub-Saharan Africa, agricultural intensification and urbanization have increased the risk of proliferation of rodents in rural and urban habitats. Management of rodent populations is a challenge in terms of food security and public health. However, conventional efforts to manage rodents are currently reactive and based on the inadequate use of synthetic chemical rodenticides, including first- and second-generation anticoagulants and acute rodenticides. This approach carries substantial environmental and health risks and has yielded limited success in terms of reduction of rodent populations sustainably. In this paper, which is the second part of a diptych, we advocate for a shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches, such as Ecologically-Based Rodent Management (EBRM), as a realistic alternative to synthetic rodenticides. This method is based on a good knowledge of habitat use, species diversity and population dynamics of major rodent pests, and involves community-based interventions aimed at reducing rodent abundance to economically and hygienically acceptable levels in the long term. We present for the first time a comprehensive compilation of published and unpublished information derived from observational field studies conducted in Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal with the aim to provide an overview of EBRM case studies in these countries of sub-Saharan Africa. This paper intends to serve as a catalyst for change, encouraging the transformation of rodent management practices towards sustainable methods. We aim at stimulating further research and interventions that promote EBRM in Africa, ultimately fostering more environmentally conscious and effective solutions. Graphical abstract: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0261219424001017-ga1.jpg

Mots clés: Africa; Agricultural intensification; Ecologically based rodent management; Pest management; Rodenticides; Rodents; Urbanization

Domaines: Sciences et techniques de l'agriculture

Ambroise Dalecky, Ibrahima Sow, Abdoul Aziz Ibrahim Danzabarma, Madougou Garba, Jonas Etougbétché, et al.. From problem to progress: Rodent management in agricultural settings of sub-Saharan Africa and calling for an urban perspective. Crop Protection, 2024, 181, pp.106673. ⟨10.1016/j.cropro.2024.106673⟩. ⟨hal-04548299⟩