In order to understand management of vegetable pests under tropical conditions, farmer knowledge of pest etiology and epidemiology was investigated in Mar. 2009. About 78% of vegetable farmers were men aged 31-40, with 51% having little formal education. About 21% of farmers can identify diseases and 16% can identify insects. Over 80% grow susceptible varieties. Ninety-two percent of farmers used synthetics pesticides. About 92% were willing to accept resistant varieties. This willingness provides a basis for further collaboration to employ resistant varieties and promote integrated pest management. © 2014 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis..