IPM Knowledge Research Articles

Influences on Farmer Behavior in Integrated Pest Management: IPM Knowledge, Local Wisdom, and Motivation in Palu City

Influences on Farmer Behavior in Integrated Pest Management: IPM Knowledge, Local Wisdom, and Motivation in Palu City

Farmers' Management Practices against Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta (Myrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Surkhet, Nepal

Tuta absoluta (Myrick) is one of the most destructive pests of tomato globally. In order to study its current status and management practices adopted by farmers, a household survey was conducted in February 2019 at three road corridors (Surkhet-Jumla, Surkhet-Dailekh and Surkhet-Jajarkot) and Birendranagar valley of Surkhet district. Amongst the tomato growers listed at the government offices and local key informants, a purposive random sampling method was employed to select the 60 tomato producers, 30 from Birendranagar Municipality, 15 from Barahatal Municipality (Surkhet-Jumla), 10 from Bheriganga Municipality (Surkhet-Jajarkot) and 5 from Gurans Municipality (Surkhet-Dailekh). Majority of tomato growers (52%) claimed T. absoluta as their major pest and most of them well aware about the symptoms of the pest in leaves as well as fruits. Majority of the farmers were found to be (33%) relied on chemical means while 27% on cultural methods, 18% used tomato leaf miner lure (TLM lure), 13% used botanicals, 5% used physical, and 3% used mechanical method for the management of T. absoluta. Chemicals means being very quick and more effective to other techniques in solitary were practiced by many but without reading the label, without measuring before use (57%), without any protective wear (53%) and lack of know-how on waiting period (78%). Most of the farmers having dependent on Agrovets (85%) for technical assistance were bound to continue the false practices. The efficacy of extension was found to be very poor exhibiting the urgency of pesticide use literacy for the farmers and the knowledge of IPM for pest management. Farmers should be taught about the harmful effects of chemical pesticides, methods of handling pesticides, use of protective gears and keep chemical as last resort. Other alternative means like use of TLM lures, botanical pesticides, use of nets etc. should be encouraged.

What Do They Know and What Do They DO? A National Evaluation of Landscape Integrated Pest Management Knowledge and Use in the United States

Abstract Individual residents in the United States increasingly practice do-it-yourself pest management in their lawns and gardens. This self-managed pest control is frequently characterized by unnecessary and sometimes indiscriminate applications of pesticide that are often ineffective and environmentally damaging. Given residential consumers account for most of the world’s pesticide expenditures, the need to increase adoption of IPM best practices is critical. Through its education and technical training programming, we argue that Cooperative Extension is uniquely positioned to nudge residential DIY pest management away from an exclusive reliance on pesticide application and towards IPM best practices. To assess how best to encourage an increase in IPM adoption, we examined the relationship between an individual user’s knowledge of IPM practices and adoption of IPM behavior. Survey results from individual residents responsible for their lawn and garden management indicate that where there is high knowledge of IPM best practices, there appears to be a strong likelihood of behavior adoption. Results also show, however, that a significant number of respondents have little to no knowledge of IPM. To address this gap, we argue for the need to increase IPM-related education and provide recommendations for future research.

Gender and social economic factors affecting IPM knowledge acquisition and application: A case study of coffee farmer group members in bugisu, Uganda

The paper presents findings from a study conducted to determine men and women farmers` knowledge of the coffee Stem Borer IPM practices and socio-economic factors influencing the level of farmers` knowledge in Bugisu sub region, Uganda. A post training cross sectional survey of 71 men and 55 women members of coffee IPM groups who had participated in training on coffee stem borer IPM was conducted. The knowledge of training participants was computed using a knowledge index and difference between knowledge levels of men and women farmers compared using independent t test. It was found that men had a significantly higher mean score on the IPM knowledge index compared to women. In addition, there was a significant correlation between knowledge of CSB IPM with gender, educational level, marital status, household labor, coffee acreage, years in the coffee group and women`s mobility. The results imply that greater competence is achieved when group training methods were complemented with more personal extension methods such as on farm visits. In addition, targeting various social groups including women, youth, and those who are not members of social and economic groups with the intention of addressing their unique needs would boost their IPM knowledge level. For women, knowledge acquisition is enhanced when gender based barriers to their participation in learning groups are addressed.

Does IPM Have Staying Power? Revisiting a Potato‐producing Area Years After Formal Training Ended

AbstractIntegrated pest management (IPM) potentially reduces pesticide use and costs of agricultural production. However, IPM is knowledge intensive and its spread may dissipate over time due to knowledge required for its effective implementation and to competing messages about pest control. We examine IPM spread and adoption several years after formal intensive IPM outreach efforts ceased in a potato‐producing region in Ecuador. We describe adoption patterns and sources of IPM knowledge in 2012 and compare them with patterns that existed when outreach ceased in 2003. Results show that IPM adoption continues in the area but with a lower proportion of farmers fully adopting all practices and a higher proportion adopting low to moderate levels as compared to 2003. Almost all potato farmers in the area use some IPM practices, reflecting a major increase in IPM use. Farmer‐to‐farmer spread has supplanted formal training and outreach mechanisms. IPM adoption significantly lowers pesticide use and saves production costs for adopters.

Assessing the integrated pest management practices of southeastern US ornamental nursery operations

The Southern Nursery Integrated Pest Management (SNIPM) working group surveyed ornamental nursery crop growers in the southeastern United States to determine their pest management practices. Respondents answered questions about monitoring practices for insects, diseases and weeds, prevention techniques, intervention decisions, concerns about IPM and educational opportunities. Survey respondents were categorized into three groups based on IPM knowledge and pest management practices adopted. The three groups differed in the use of standardized sampling plans for scouting pests, in monitoring techniques, e.g. sticky cards, phenology and growing degree days, in record-keeping, in the use of spot-spraying and in the number of samples sent to a diagnostic clinic for identification and management recommendation. Stronger emphasis is needed on deliberate scouting techniques and tools to monitor pest populations to provide earlier pest detection and greater flexibility of management options. Most respondents thought that IPM was effective and beneficial for both the environment and employees, but had concerns about the ability of natural enemies to control insect pests, and about the availability and effectiveness of alternatives to chemical controls. Research and field demonstration is needed for selecting appropriate natural enemies for augmentative biological control. Two groups utilized cooperative extension almost exclusively, which would be an avenue for educating those respondents.

Assessing the Impact of Farmer Field School Participation on IPM Adoption in Uganda

The Integrated Pest Management Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM CRSP) has been implementing IPM farmer field schools (FFS) with small scale farmers in Eastern Uganda since 2001. This study assesses the impact of cowpea-specific IPM FFS on IPM knowledge and the theoretical link between increased knowledge on the adoption of IPM strategies. The assessment was conducted to evaluate the impact of IPM FFS on adoption of IPM strategies. Comparison groups consisting of FFS participants and non participants were used to evaluate the impact of FFS on IPM knowledge and cowpea specific IPM strategies. A summated ratings scale consisting of five attributes was used to measure farmers’ knowledge of IPM and another summated scale consisting of five IPM strategies for cowpea was used to measure adoption. The results indicate that participation in FFS leads to more knowledge of IPM and knowledge of IPM is the most important variable in explaining adoption of IPM strategies. These results provide a confirmation of the adoption decision making process and a validation of FFS as an effective mechanism for increasing both knowledge of IPM and the adoption of cowpea specific IPM strategies. Farmers were more likely to adopt component strategies rather than the entire IPM package. The diffusion of IPM knowledge and strategies to farmers who did not participate in the FFS appears to have been limited.

Potential of extension workshops to change farmers' knowledge and awareness of IPM

Farmers' knowledge of IPM has been considered, as prerequisites to IPM adoption. In Iran the most prevalent extension method for training farmers in different fields like IPM is extension workshops. The main purpose of this study was to investigate workshop effectiveness to change farmer's knowledge of IPM through assessing and comparing farmer's knowledge of IPM. A survey was conducted among 90 farmers in Karaj City in 2007–08 that included 30 workshop participants, 30 farmers who had exposed to workshop participants, and 30 randomly selected farmers, which were outside of this community. A questionnaire including open and close ended questions was designed. Data was collected through personal structured interviews with respondents at their farms . The study found that workshop participants (10.38) had significantly higher knowledge scores than their non workshop counterparts (5.90). Data also showed very little diffusion of workshop-acquired knowledge from workshop participants to other community members.

Effects of training on acquisition of pest management knowledge and skills by small vegetable farmers

Effects of farmer field school (FFS) and the conventional (classroom lectures) training on acquisition of pest management knowledge and skills by small vegetable farmers were studied in Yunnan province, China from 2003 to 2007. There were significant gains of knowledge about vegetable pests, natural enemies, insect and disease ecology and pest management among the FFS farmers, but were no significant improvements of knowledge among the conventional trained farmers. Vegetable FFS enabled farmers to learn simple knowledge as well as complex IPM knowledge. In contrast, the conventional training only improved vegetable farmers' simple knowledge. The potential and limitations of FFS as a unique extension tool to disseminate the complex knowledge of IPM to smallholder farmers were demonstrated.

Epidemiologic Monitoring and Implementation of the Fao Code of Conduct—Pesticide use in Ecuador

ISEE-744 Background: Improper use of agricultural pesticides has negative implications for human and agro-ecosystem health. To mitigate these, the Food and Agriculture Organization's International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides provides guidance on pesticide regulation and acceptable pesticide use practices. Objective: To monitor implementation of the Code of Conduct in the Andean region of Ecuador by using proxy indicator data on knowledge, practices and health outcomes associated with pesticide use. Materials and Methods: Twenty household surveys were conducted in 24 communities (n = 481). Separate surveys were conducted with persons responsible for the crops and the home in each household. Several aspects of the Code of Conduct were addressed including pesticide salesman practices and their translation into farmer understanding and practices. A pesticide-related health outcome was also assessed. A score was developed for the health outcome and descriptive statistics for each variable stratified by canton was carried out. Results: Substantial quantities of highly toxic Class Ib and II pesticides were used in 2 of 5 cantons. Less than 50% of respondents in each canton received handling information from the pesticide salesperson and a smaller proportion correctly understood pesticide label meanings in 4 of 5 cantons. The majority of respondents did not use protective equipment when mixing or applying pesticides leading to situations where >50% of the time most parts of the body occasionally or always came in direct contact with pesticides. Most respondents stored pesticides outside the home whereas all cantons preferred burning for container disposal. Less than 50% of farmers possessed knowledge of IPM. The pesticide-related health outcome revealed depressed neurological scores. Conclusions: Proxy indicators suggest important regulatory and development issues which are limiting the successful implementation of the Code of Conduct in Ecuador. These results support a need to work closely with many levels of government and civil society groups.

Adoption and Diffusion of Integrated Pest Management Technology: A Case of Irrigated Rice Farm in Jogjakarta Province, Indonesia

The institutionalization of IPM technology in Indonesia relies on farmer-to-farmer diffusion. The study aimed to analyze the adoption and diffusion of the technology at farm level which conducted in three consecutive seasons of 2000/2001. Two villages in Moyudan sub-district of Jogjakarta Province, where a chronic pest infestation exists, were chosen. The study showed IPM technology has been adopted by both IPM-participating and non-IPM participating rice farmers. It was indicated that diffusion of IPM knowledge in this area of study where every farmer faced the same problems of severe pest infestation.

Role of opinion leadership, social connectedness and information sources in the diffusion of IPM in Honduran subsistence maize agriculture

In 2002 – 2003, a survey of 120 small-scale maize farmers was conducted in four hillside communities in SE Honduras to quantify the role of pesticide information sources, local diffusion networks and social connectedness in influencing farmer knowledge and adoption of IPM. In each community, IPM training recipients and opinion leaders were identified and their role in affecting local spread of agro-ecological and pest management information was assessed. Farmers reported various sources of pest management advice, with friends and relatives, outreach agencies and pesticide sellers frequently cited. Information on pesticide alternatives for management of a key maize pest, the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, was gained mainly through interpersonal communication channels. IPM training recipients were socially well connected and up to 60% of them were consulted by their peers. Farmers connected to training recipients had a better appreciation of arthropod natural enemies and, in certain communities, knew more about pesticide alternatives and natural enemy conservation methods. Information on certain technologies (i.e. manual control, sugar-water application to attract arthropod predators) was shared between farmers, while knowledge of others (i.e. botanical insecticides) was largely restricted to training recipients. In communities that were socially well organized and frequented by outreach agencies, selected information appeared to diffuse beyond trained farmers. Implications for the design of IPM extension packages are discussed.

State intervention and farmer creativity: Integrated pest management among rice farmers in Subang, West Java

The 1989 National Integrated Pest Management Program in Indonesia is a case of a breakthrough in national policy to enhance the ecological balance by conserving natural enemies and diminishing the indiscriminate use of pesticides in the protection of food crops. The Program provided training to agricultural officials and farmers to shift their perspectives in pesticide use through “knowledge transmission” rather than the transferal of “technological packages.” This paper examines how farmers, with the novel understanding they had, responded to the persisting top-down policy of the “complete credit packages” from the government rice intensification agencies and the recurrent outbreak of pests in 1990–1992. IPM knowledge and training provided initial understanding of, and the stimulus to discover, unknown phenomena on the basis of which farmers improved their knowledge and learning capacity. Constraints largely came from the inflexibility of the subsidized scheme of inputs and the inadequate explanation and extension services provided to farmers

Intrinsic Rate of Increase (r<sub>m</sub>) of <i>Aphis Gossypii</i> Glover Infesting Brinjal Plants

Context: Intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of Aphis gossypii is important factor to know the actual increase of population which is governed by physical factors of environment.Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of A. gossypii which is the basic knowledge of IPM program.Materials and Methods: The nymphal duration, pre-reproductive period, reproductive period, fecundity, longevity, etc. were observed within the glass chimneys. The newly born nymphs were considered as F1 generations. Similarly, the first progeny of F1 generation were released in other glass chimneys to have F2 generation. In this way, F3, F4 and F5 generations were obtained. Data for duration between birth of a nymph and its first laid progeny (d) and number of progeny (Md) per female were recorded. Altogether data of 8 replications were considered for the calculation of intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of A. gossypii infesting brinjal plants.Results: Intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) value was highest (0.322 ± 0.005) for the F1 generation, followed by F2 (0.317 ± 0.003) and it was lowest (0.303 ± 0.002) for F5 generation. Temperature influenced the (rm) significantly (r= 0.903, p<0.05). Dew point also influenced the rm of A. gossypii significantly (0.882 P<0.05). Relative humidity played insignificant role (r= 0.428) on the rm of A. gossypii.Conclusion: The results obtained in this study are essential to know the actual populations increase which important to pest control.Key words: Aphis gossypii; brinjal; intrinsic rate of increase.DOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7118J. bio-sci. 17: 123-127, 2009