Factors involved in reduced pesticide use

Two main factors appear to account for low insecticide use by Filipino rice farmers. First, education campaigns based on research findings from entomologists at UPLB, the Philippine Rice Research Institute, IRRI and other organizations appear to have enjoyed some success in convincing farmers of the dangers of insecticide use. Second, insecticide prices are relatively high in the Philippines – double the prices in Thailand, Vietnam and Tamil Nadu, and six times China’s subsidized prices. That said, remember that pesticide costs are still a relatively low 52% of total farm revenues for irrigated farms in Central Luzon – revenues that, by the way, are higher than in the rice bowls of neighboring countries. Thus, Filipino farmers can afford insecticides, but they are choosing to use them carefully, if at all.

Hands on farmers' training in Farmers' Field School (FFS)

Farmers' training - Agro-ecological mapping (FFS)

Discussion on insect management with rice farmers..