Sample interview questions: How do you assess the impact of plant diseases on traditional or indigenous food security?
Sample answer:
Assessing the Impact of Plant Diseases on Food Security
1. Disease Surveys and Monitoring:
- Regularly monitor plant populations for disease symptoms and identify the specific causal agents.
- Utilize disease forecasting models to predict potential disease epidemics and assess their impact on crop yields.
- Estimate crop losses through field surveys and yield data analysis.
2. Assessment of Disease Severity and Yield Loss:
- Measure disease intensity and calculate disease indices to estimate the extent of infection.
- Utilize yield loss models to determine the impact of diseases on crop productivity and economic loss.
- Consider factors such as cultivar susceptibility, environmental conditions, and management practices.
3. Impact on Food Security:
- Evaluate the availability, access, and affordability of alternative food sources or income-generating activities.
- Assess the nutritional value of affected crops and their contribution to a balanced diet.
- Explore the potential for disease-tolerant crop varieties or alternative farming systems.
4. Socioeconomic Impacts:
- Consider the cultural, social, and economic value of affected crop… Read full answer