Crops - Change crops Change crops



Medicinal and aromatic plants

Two articles have investigated the effect of changing crop type as a measure to reduce the impact of wild mammals on farming outcomes.

These studies investigated the effect on farming revenue from different crop types in areas where Asian (Elaphas maxiumus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants damage the crops. The first study was undertaken in Nepal and found that in comparison to cultivating rice in areas with Asian elephant damage, the revenue was greater from cultivating turmeric (750 USD/ha), basil (739 USD/ha), and chamomile (454 USD/ha). In comparison to cultivating rice, the farming revenue was reduced when cultivating coriander (-520 USD/ha), lemongrass (-322 USD/ha), citronella (-322 USD/ha), and mint (-180 USD/ha). The second study was undertaken in Zambia and found that in comparison to cultivating maize in an area with African elephant damage, farming revenue was increased when cultivating ginger (35 102 USD/ha), lemongrass (21 939 USD/ha), and garlic (2 048 USD/ha). One should note however, that revenue from different types of crop types as an effect measure has limitations. First, although crop damage can greatly influence farming revenue, other variables may confound the outcome, such as market value with supply and demand.

It should also be noted that different types of crops may not be exchangeable with regards to their dietary qualities. Changing cultivar from staple diet crops like maize and rice to different spices and herbs may therefore not be possible to use as an adaptation measure in practice.

Referenced papers
Gross E.M., Drouet-Hoguet N., Subedi N., and Gross J. (2017). The potential of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) to reduce crop damages by Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus). Crop Protection, 100, pp. 29-37.
The study observed that some medicinal and aromatic plants were less attractive and not consumed by elephants compared to rice. Damages to test crops occurred only through trampling.
Gross, E.M., McRobb, R. and Gross, J. (2016). Cultivating alternative crops reduces crop losses due to African elephants. Journal of Pest Science 89, 497–506 (2016).
Elephants visited both the test crops and the control of maize. The maize was completely destroyed 6 weeks prior to harvest. The test crops were only slightly damaged, mostly through trampling.