Using survey data obtained from a cross section of 120 small-scale yam farmers, the paper analysed the effects of yam beetles
infestation in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State. The demographic proÞ le of respondents showed that farmers in the area
were within the active workforce with a mean age of 42 years, and about 41% of them either attempted or completed secondary
school. Damage to yam beetles ranged from 27.69% to 39.72% with a mean beetle attack rate of 32.69% that caused a
loss of tubers worth N 1.09 million in market value. High cost of pesticides and cost of equipment and labour were reported
as major obstacles to the effective control of yam tuber beetles. Regression results indicated that planting date and cost of
pesticides had negative and statistically signiÞ cant effects (p < 0.01) on value of yams lost to beetles. Elasticity estimates
showed that a 1 percentage delay in planting date will reduce yam loss to beetles by 7%, while a proportionate increase in the
level of pesticides applied will reduce yam loss by 5.4%. Therefore a combination of planting dates manipulation and pesticides
application that will drastically control the attack of yam tuber beetles and enhance farmers’ income is recommended.