Year 2018, Volume 3, Issue 1
| Year : | 2018 |
| Volume : | 3 |
| Issue : | 1 |
| Authors : | Masoumeh FOROUZANI, Saeid FAZELI, Masoud YAZDANPANAH, Abbass ABDESHAHI |
| Title : | WHAT ORCHARDISTS EXPECT FROM FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS ON INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: A CASE OF IRAN |
| Abstract : | Since 2002, the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) program through farmers’ field schools (FFS) approach has gained some priority on the agenda of Iran’s extension services. Different nature of agricultural activities and the specific context of farming in each area of the country have raised some questions regarding the suitability of these training programs to meet the needs of participants. In line with this, a need assessment survey in the summer of 2015was conducted to extract the educational needs of orchardists living in west part of Iran. The study population consisted of all the grape and pomegranate growers that participated in the IPM/FFS programs (N= 420). A sample of 201 individuals was selected through a simple random sampling manner. To collect data, a questionnaire based on Borich model was administered. Results indicated that the most important need was “to be skillful in tree pruning” and the least important was “to train participants based on lecturing and formal classes”, scoring 4.30 and 3.24 out of 5, respectively. Moreover, “the ability to recognize the best time to spray pest-herbicides”, “practical identifying of the symptoms of plant diseases and direct observations”, “pre-assessment of participants’ information before launching the programs” and “acquisition of the know-how knowledge to use bio-fertilizers and manures” were the first four priorities of respondents’ needs among a total of 49. The study concluded with the idea that most of orchardists were aware of the need to conserve the environment and produce safe crops but IPM/FFS training programs could not provide them with adequate skills to perform the sound method and practice in their professional activities. |
| For citation : | Forouzani, M., Fazeli, S., Yazdanpanah, M., Abdeshahi, A. (2018). What orchardists expect from farmer field schools on integrated pest management: a case of Iran. AGROFOR International Journal, Volume 3. Issue No. 1. pp. 114-121. DOI: 10.7251/AGRENG1801114F |
| Keywords : | IPM/FFS programs, Orchardists, Borich need assessment model, Iran. |
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ISSN 2490-3434 (Printed)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
ISSN 2490-3442 (Online)
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