Research:UK Pact with MKU on friendly management fruit fly

By The Mountain Journal Science team

There is a ray of hope to the mango farmers in Kenya following a research pact between Mount Kenya University (MKU) and the University of West of Scotland on the management of the fruit fly.

 In the past, Kenyan farmers have been going at a loss following an increased infestation of the mangos by the fruit flies that burrow into the fruits.

 The Sh15 million pact on the management of the fruit fly has given the local farmers hope that their fruits will enter into the European Union and American markets.

Innovate UK has granted Kenya's leading university in research and Innovation the grant to develop a novel product for the management of fruit fly.

The grant will be implemented in partnership with the leading UK Based  University of West of Scotland and Farmtrack  consultancy based in Kenya on speciliazed in the sustainable management of agricultural pests.

 The objective of the research is to develop a friendly female fruit fly protein-baited trap( Food Bait) using the local raw materials.

 Some years ago, Kenya was forced to ban the exportation of mangoes following to European Union (EU) due to the fruit fly menace.

Kenya produces mango estimated at Sh50billion annually, the majority destined for the export market.

 Through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)   the project is the first of its kind between the two universities that will involve the development of sustainable female fruit fly management of fruit bait.

 The project is expected to contribute to long term and sustainable management of fruit fly for the benefit of fruit and vegetable farmers in Kenya and beyond.

 The project will be supervised by Dr Mary Muriuki Dean School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Dr Maina Ngotho, Dr Allan Mweke who will be backed by Elizabeth Mwaura and Simon Nyoro who will be assisted in field tests and community outreach.

According to the Horticulture  Crops Directorate farmers face the challenge of securing better prices in the  European and American markets because of the increased infestation of mangos by the flies that burrow into the fruits.

 Fruit flies cause direct damage by puncturing the fruit skin to lay eggs. During egg-laying bacteria from the intestinal flora of the fly are introduced into the fruit. These bacteria cause the rotting of the tissues surrounding the egg. When the eggs hatch, the maggots feed on the fruit flesh making galleries. These provide entry for pathogens and increase fruit decay, making fruits unsuitable for human consumption. Generally, the fruit falls to the ground as, or just before the maggots pupate. In fruits for export, fruit flies cause indirect losses resulting from quarantine restrictions that are imposed by importing countries to prevent the entry of fruit flies. Nearly all fruit fly species are quarantine pests. 

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