Sustainable Management of the Red Palm Weevil: The Nexus between Farmers’ Adoption of Integrated Pest Management and Their Knowledge of Symptoms

Hazem S. Kassem, Bader Alhafi Alotaibi, Ali Ahmed and Fahd O. Aldosri
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Hazem S. Kassem: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Bader Alhafi Alotaibi: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Ali Ahmed: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Fahd O. Aldosri: Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: The red palm weevil (RPW) ( Rhynchophorus ferruginous ) is one of the most serious pest insects threatening the sustainability of the date palm sector ( Phoenix dactylifera L.). Nevertheless, a gap exists in the body of knowledge regarding patterns in farmers’ adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) for RPW control and how their knowledge of RPW symptomology influences IPM adoption. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 183 palm growers in Al-Ahsa Governorate, Saudi Arabia. The results indicate that most farmers had insufficient knowledge to visually diagnose RPW symptoms and damage. Farmers moderately adopted preventive measures recommended for protection from RPW infestation. Only 13.11% of the farmers exhibited a high rate of adoption of pest management practices for RPW control and eradication. The findings revealed a strong positive association (0.8, p < 0.01) between the knowledge level regarding symptoms and IPM adoption level, whereby the respondents with more knowledge of RPW symptoms showed a higher level of adoption in all IPM categories. This study contributes to the development of our understanding of the social behaviors and risks associated with RPW. This might enhance the quality of awareness campaigns and extension programs and assist in developing a visual inspection protocol for RPW infestation for farmers.

Keywords: red palm weevil (RPW); farmers; adoption; knowledge; integrated pest management (IPM); sustainable agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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