Integrated Pest Management - Cuba
by José Antonio Sanchez Gonzales - 2014 Graduate
Farmer & Trainer
page developed by Noriko Nakayama, ARI Staff (site visit March and June 2019)
submitted December 2019
Integrated Pest Management
Cuba is a country that has long been practicing organic farming nationwide. One perpetual problem organic farmers face is how to deal with harmful insects and pests without using chemical insecticides. Here I will introduce three methods of pest management that José uses on his farm.
Companion Planting Using Herbs and Flowers
One technique that José learned at ARI is Companion Planting. On his farm, he has 5 vegetable beds with partitions which are located close to the kitchen. Alongside the vegetables, at each end of the bed, he plants various herbs and flowers such as marigolds, basil, oregano, and thyme. These emit strong odors that deter insects. To get a better effect, José shakes the companion plants each morning and evening to release their smell. Of course, the herbs have the added benefit of being delicious to use in the kitchen!
https://gyazo.com/fc9032b424dca1246fcc086cf0d76857 https://gyazo.com/a0b0ab3966f8b78d73828760792d3b17
Vegetable beds with partitions; the companion plants are at the ends
https://gyazo.com/f4e3c5912ccf58784d49177629ff6630
The layout of the vegetable beds with the location of the herbs and marigolds
Molasses Insect Trap
José makes insect traps using a plastic bottle and molasses. He puts molasses of sugar cane, which is sticky and heavy, into the base of the bottles and cuts a hole in the top. Insects are attracted to the sweet smell. When they enter the bottle, they get stuck in the molasses and cannot escape. He places the traps all around his vegetable beds.
https://gyazo.com/4b7b9854ca287137416fd527f3384989
José holding a molasses insect trap
Colored Insect Traps
José also makes insect traps using engine or bearing grease. He applies the grease to small colored boards. Half of the boards are yellow, a quarter blue, and a quarter white. Each color attracts a different kind of insect. He places the boards between the vegetables on each bed.
https://gyazo.com/10de789084e2b996e3f9fbc2cc9d1e62
Colored insect traps - each color attracts a different kind of insect
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