*2.3. Data Analysis*

The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, and standard deviations). Chi-square tests were also applied to analyse the relationships between knowledge of *S. frugiperda*, perception of damage and socio-economic characteristics of farmers; between cropping practices (cropping systems, application of mineral fertilizers, and types of grown varieties) and severity of *S. frugiperda* attack; and between farmer protection practices and knowledge of *S. frugiperda*. Chi-square tests are valid when the values of the cells in the contingency table are greater than 1 and at least 80% of these values are greater than 5 [31]. Mean scores were calculated on the e ffective data collected.
