Small farmers crop protection practices: implications for policy and technology development

• Main Authors: Rola A.C, Bagsic R.C, Hernandez J.T, Catolin E.C, Chupungco A.R
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 1993
• Subjects: adopcion de innovaciones; adoption de l' innovation; agriculteur; agricultores; allium cepa; ananas comosus; brassica oleracea capitata; control de plagas; farmers; filipinas; innovation adoption; lutte antiravageur; mangifera indica; musa bananas; musa bananes; musa bananos; nicotiana; oryza; pest control; pesticide; pesticides; philippines; plaguicidas; solanum; zea mays

Through a farm level survey, crop protection practices of small farmers were defined with the aim of identifying technology gaps and policy support to sustainable pest management strategies. The survey covered farmers producing grains (rice and corn); fruits (mangoes, bananas and pineapple); vegetables (cabbage, onions and potatoes) and tobacco across provinces which are major producers of said crops. Results showed that mango and vegetable farmers are very dependent on chemical control. Illnesses due to chemicals were likewise reported especially among vegetable farmers. Perceived changes in pest population before and after pesticide use suggest some semblance of insect resistance. Technology development along management of major pests in mangoes and vegetables will yield positive social benefits. Policy support to encourage sustainable pest management adoption by farmers could come in the form of setting standards of residue levels, pricing and trade policies and effective regulation.