Exploring farmers’ perspectives on desert locust management in Kenya: a comparison of Q and R-methodologies

While desert locust invasions threaten agricultural production and household incomes, a common understanding of how to implement integrated control is missing. This study aimed to provide new insights on targeted policies that address the heterogeneity of perspectives held by farmers. To do so, the study compared both R and Q-methodologies to identify perspectives on desert locust management from a sample of 473 farmers. Based on internal consistency checks, the Q-methodology was found to better explain farmers’ perspectives through ranking and identification of distinguishing statements. The four different perspectives were labelled as "threat-aware but unprepared," “enthusiasts of indigenous control methods," “proponents of information access,” and “advocates of timely control and post-recovery assistance." The study also linked the various socio-economic and institutional factors that distinguish farmers across the four perspectives. A key finding is that farmers holding different perspectives agreed that integrated desert locust control is the best strategy. Considering the diversity in farmers' opinions, a mixed-policy framework is essential. Such policies should focus on information access, engagement of community members in desert locust control teams, and targeted post- recovery assistance, which would facilitate the implementation of integrated desert locust management.