Knowledge gaps among smallholder farmers hinder adoption of conservation biological control
Knowledge gaps among smallholder farmers hinder adoption of conservation biological control
复制标题
DOI：
10.1080/09583157.2019.1707169
复制
发表时间：
2020-01-03
影响因子：
1.4
通讯作者：
Gurr, Geoff M.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Mkenda, Prisila A.;Ndakidemi, Patrick A.;Gurr, Geoff M.
保护性生物防治利用生境管理来提高节肢动物天敌的生存和影响，以进行害虫防治。它的优势在于它依赖于适应当地农业生态系统和条件的本地或已建立的无脊椎动物种群。我们调查了坦桑尼亚基利曼哈罗地区三个农业生态区的300名农民，以评估农民对天敌、害虫和农药使用的了解，以及获取农业信息的方式，以确定采取保护性生物控制措施的障碍。数据收集通过面对面的访谈，使用问卷和图片，并通过使用一种新的语音应答移动的电话调查。被调查的农民几乎将所有昆虫都视为害虫，数据分析显示，98.7%的农民完全不知道天敌。然而，在完成短期培训课程后，人们的意识发生了转变，80%的农民认识到了益虫，并表示打算改变耕作方式，以提高它们在作物中的生存能力。获得有关合成农药替代品的信息是采取生物控制措施的一个限制因素，8.7%的农民报告无法获得农业信息，而其他人则主要依赖农业官员。这些发现表明，小农对益虫的知识严重缺乏，这将影响保护性生物防治的采用。我们建议改善技术官员和小农户获取信息和知识的机会，对他们进行农业生态强化方面的直接培训，以便更广泛地采用养护生物控制。
Conservation biological control uses habitat management to enhance the survival and impact of arthropod natural enemies for pest control. Its advantages are that it relies on native or established invertebrate populations that are adapted to local agricultural ecosystems and conditions. We surveyed 300 farmers in three agro-ecological zones of Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania to assess farmers' knowledge of natural enemies, insect pests and pesticide use and ways of accessing agricultural information to identify hurdles to the adoption of conservation biological control measures. Data were collected through face to face interviews using questionnaires and pictures and by using a novel voice-response mobile phone survey. The farmers surveyed regarded almost all insects as pests, with data analyses revealing that 98.7% of farmers were completely unaware of natural enemies. After completing a short training course, however, awareness was transformed, with 80% of farmers recognising beneficial insects and expressing an intention to change farming practices to enhance their survival within the crop. Access to information about synthetic pesticide alternatives was a limiting factor to uptake of biological control measures with 8.7% of farmers reporting no access to agricultural information, while others were mostly dependent on agricultural officers. These findings identified a severe lack of knowledge among smallholder farmers about beneficial insects which will impact adoption of conservation biological control. We recommend improved access to information and knowledge among the technical officers and the smallholder farmers with direct training on agro-ecological intensification for wider adoption of conservation biological control.