Perceived advantages and disadvantages of IPM practices among Iranian rice farmers

Abstract

To create effective policies for promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) it is crucial to comprehend farmers’ attitudes toward IPM. A survey of 306 rice farmers was conducted to assess the perceived advantages and disadvantages of IPM practices and explain variations in perceptions among different groups of farmers. Through factor analysis, the primary advantages and disadvantages of utilizing IPM in farm field were categorized into six factors, namely: low efficacy in pest control, personal drawbacks, weak technical and support services (as disadvantages of IPM), as well as health benefits, cost effectiveness, and social advantages (as advantages of IPM). The cumulative percentage of variance accounted for by these six factors was 71.052%, with 36.78% of the variance stemming from positive aspects and 34.28% from negative aspects of IPM practices. Educated farmers showed a preference for IPM advantages (p < .001), while affluent farmers leaned towards IPM disadvantages (p < .020). Farmers with high rice production prioritized IPM disadvantages (p < .001), with those perceiving pesticides as harmful showing less preference for IPM drawbacks (p < .001). Training recipients favored IPM benefits (p < .000) and less so the drawbacks (p < .013). Farmers at health risk due to pesticides prioritized IPM advantages (p < .030) and lessened emphasis on disadvantages (p < .041). Additionally, farmers implementing IPM practices valued IPM advantages more (p < .000013) and disadvantages less (p < .000004). Using the scale from this research, agricultural extension services can tailor education efforts to emphasize the benefits of IPM practices and how to address their drawbacks, promoting widespread adoption of IPM among farmers.