Farmers' perceptions of the white stem borer Scirpophaga innotata (Walker), in Cilamaya, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

In connection with the white stem borer outbreak, reported during the 1989–1990 wet season in the northern part of West Java, field surveys were conducted to determine the importance of this pest to farmers, to assess their knowledge of it and to determine current control practices. The largest percentage (85%) of farmers perceived the white stem borer as important and difficult to control (22%). When farmers observe white stem borers in their fields most believe that moths migrated from other rice fields. Many farmers were uncertain that an outbreak will occur the next season, mainly because of the lack of understanding of the population dynamics of the pest and the factors causing white stem borer outbreaks. The majority of the farmers use insecticides against white stem borers including those banned by the government with the implementation of the IPM policy in 1986. An account of farmers reliance on pesticide use against white stem borers is discussed.