Fall Armyworm in Maize: A Systematic Review of Smallholder Livelihood and Food Security Impacts in Africa

Abstract

Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), has emerged as one of the most damaging invasive pests affecting maize production and household food security across sub-Saharan Africa since its first detection in 2016. This systematic review synthesizes empirical evidence published between 2016 and 2025 to assess the agronomic, livelihood, and food security impacts of FAW on smallholder farming systems across Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central Africa. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time, and Setting (PICOTS) framework, 20 studies (17 empirical and 3 contextual) were identified through comprehensive searches of academic databases and institutional repositories and were included in the final synthesis after methodological screening. The evidence indicates that FAW invasion causes substantial maize yield losses ranging from approximately 20% to 50%, with the greatest reductions reported in rain-fed systems with limited access to pest management technologies. Infestation rates frequently exceeded 50%, particularly during early invasion phases. Beyond agronomic losses, several studies reported reduced household income, constrained food availability, and livelihood disruptions, including increased labor requirements, higher production costs, and reliance on short-term coping strategies. Only a small proportion of studies (n = 4) directly assessed nutrition-related indicators, but the available evidence indicates declines in dietary diversity in severely affected communities. Overall, the agronomic impacts of FAW are consistently documented across regions, whereas the socioeconomic and nutrition outcomes remain comparatively underreported, indicating a significant evidence gap. These findings highlight FAW as both an agronomic and livelihood challenge, underscoring the need for integrated pest management strategies, strengthened extension services, and coordinated policy responses to safeguard food and income security among smallholder farmers in Africa.