Impact Evaluation of Rice Integrated Pest Management Training in Thai Binh Province

Abstract

This study aims to assess the effect of farmer field school (FFS) program on IPM in terms of socio-economic impact to rice growing households in Thai Binh province, focusing on how participation in the IPM training program has improved yields and reduced pesticides use among trainees and their neighbors who may gain knowledge from participants through informal means. The study utilized data covering two sample districts of Thai Binh province in spring rice season 2004. Gathered information included rice production, pest control and other socio-economic indicators in the sample sites. The results of this study shown that rice yield as well as income from rice production in IPM farmer group was higher than that in non-IPM farmer group in both districts. As the result of IPM training, the total production cost per ha of rice cultivation reduced in IPM farmer group in comparison with that of non-IPM farmer, especially the cost of pesticide, variety and hired labor had reduced sharply. The impact of IPM training also resulted in reducing the number of pesticide spraying per season as well as the length of time per spraying in IPM farmer group. The IPM farmers also could easily identify at least five natural enemies and they would not apply pest control immediately after observing pests in the rice fields, instead they would wait for some time then decide whether or not apply any pest control methods