Insect management beliefs and practices of rice farmers in Laos》.pdfVIP

Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 92 (2002) 137–145 Insect management beliefs and practices of rice farmers in Laos K.L. Heong a,∗, M.M. Escaladab , V. Sengsoulivong c , J. Schiller d a International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), DAPO 7777 Metro, Manila, Philippines b Visayas State College of Agriculture, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines c National Agricultural Research Center, Naphok, Vientiane, Laos d Lao-IRRI Project, Vientiane, Laos Received 3 January 2001; received in revised form 22 August 2001; accepted 12 September 2001 Abstract Insecticide use in Laos is low, although there is an indication of recent increase. Chemicals hazardous to human health, namely methyl parathion and monocrotophos, are still commonly used. Farmers’ beliefs and attitudes towards insects and insecticide use are similar to other Asian countries. Most farmers strongly believe that insects decrease production and have to be controlled with insecticides. A social psychology framework was used to analyse farmers’ beliefs and norms. Farmers’ spray frequencies were correlated with both the belief and norm indices, implying that farmers’ spray decisions are influenced by these two components. Norm influences seem to be more dominant suggesting that farmers’ perceptions of what referent groups expected of them play an important role. The agricultural technicians seem to have the highest influence. The study showed that Lao farmers are potentially vulnerable to become victims of insecticide misuse as in many Asian countries that implemented rice intensification programmes. Strategic plans in research, education, extension and policies related to pest management and pesticide use need to be developed and implemented in parallel with these prog