Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE
Authors
- M.T.N. Cabasan 1
- J.A.G. Tabora 1
- N. Cabatac 2
- C.M. Jumao-as 1
- J.O. Soberano 2
- J.V. Turba 1
- N.H.A. Dagamac 3
- E. Barlaan 4
1 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Southern Mindanao, 9407 Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines
2 Southern Christian College, Midsayap North Cotabato, Philippines
3 Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, University of Greifswald, Soldmannst. 15, D-17487, Greifswald, Germany
4 College of Agriculture, University of Southern Mindanao, 9407 Kabacan, Cotabato, Philippines
Abstract
Understanding farmers’ perception is important in the development of sustainable and cost-effective integrated pest management strategies. Hence, farmers’ perception on rice insect pests and pesticide use was evaluated by selected 112 farmers composed of 77% males and 23% females, over the rice growing areas of North Cotabato, Central Mindanao, Philippines. 62% of farmers that were interviewed use pesticides based on the presence of pests. These farmers identified white stem borer and rice leaf folder as the most encountered insect pests on the local rice crops. Due to these insect pests, rice production became constrained producing low income for the farmers. Pesticide application was perceived to be effective (73%) but not efficient in controlling insects. Moreover, farmers recognized the negative effects of pesticide applications in the environment (76%). However, in spite of these expensive pest control strategies, local farmers still agreed (83%) to apply these methods to increase rice production and their income. With the advantage of using pesticides to boost production over the harm it can cause, farmers would not agree to stop (39%) or still are undecided (23%) to reduce pesticide application. Thus, efficient, safe, low cost pest control strategies are needed to reduce reliance of farmers to pesticides and to improve agricultural production and food security of smallholder farmers in the Philippines.
Graphical Abstract
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Highlights
- Rice fields in Central Mindanao, Philippines were subjected to various pest pressures and farmers consider the importance of pesticides for crop protection
- Farmers considered insects as the top most constrain in rice production
- Unsynchronized application of pesticide was not considered an effective control strategy for insects
- White stem borer is recognized as the most persistent rice insect pest
- A call for stronger integrated pest management to considerably decrease the need of the farmers to apply pesticide at the same time increase crop production.
Keywords
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