Diagnóstico del nivel de conocimiento de los productores de especies frutales sobre las alternativas convencionales para el manejo de plagas agrícolas en el cantón Patate

Abstract

The continuous crop production is frequently threatened by the presence of pests that can cause severe damage to agriculture with important economic consequences. Thus, the use of pest management tactics that are respectful of the environment and the health of both the farmer and the consumer is required. In this sense, in the present investigation a diagnosis was made on the level of knowledge of the producers of fruit species about the conventional alternatives for the management of agricultural pests in canton Patate. This research was carried out under a non-experimental, cross section through the application of a structured survey. Most of the farmers consider that there is not a high risk of the use of pesticides on the health of the people involved directly or indirectly with the agricultural production process. In the same way, most farmers do not perceive the risk of pesticides on the quality of environmental elements and natural enemies, health of domestic animals and wildlife. Concomitantly with the previous findings, it was found that most of the interviewees (71%) did not know and/or used other pest management practices other than chemical control during their last crop. Of the 26% that did apply an alternative method of pest management, they mainly used cultural practices, biological control, and the use of pheromone traps. The low level of knowledge that farmers have about alternative pest management strategies requires the implementation of training plans to show the benefits of biological control and other methods by demonstrating the proper use of these techniques.