SADC Regional Management Strategy: Tomato Leafminer
Tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) is one of the five crop pests and diseases identified by SADC as an imminent threat to food security, livelihoods and trade in the Southern Africa region. It is one of the major invasive insect pests of economic importance and a highly devastating pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).
Tomato leafminer causes considerable yield losses in tomato, which can reach 100 percent if the pest is not managed. Another indirect impact of tomato leafminer is its phytosanitary implications for international trade to the Member States. The most common response among Member States has been increased synthetic insecticide sprays, resulting in further unintended impacts.
The overall objective of this five-year strategic framework is to support Member States to strengthen the capacity of farmers to manage tomato leafminer effectively and efficiently and reduce its impacts on food security, livelihoods and human and environmental health.