Biological control in pest management in Turkey: Comparison of the attributes of participant and non-participant greenhouse farmers in government-subsidized biological control practices

  • Hasan Yılmaz Isparta University of Applied Sciences
  • Zuhal Asli Tanc Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Department of Agricultural Economics, Isparta, Turkey

Abstract

The adoption of biological control methods is increasing in crop production due to concerns and awareness of consumers about food safety and pesticide residue conundrum. Biological control methods are a key component in pest management practices as they minimize the usage of pesticides, hence create less environmental and health problems. Biological control practices have been supported in Turkey since the year 2010 to ensure economical greenhouse production and to reduce the consumption of pesticides for sustainable agricultural production. This solved the pesticide residue conundrum in fresh fruits and vegetables both domestically consumed and exported. The main objective of this study was to compare the attributes of the participant and non-participant farmers in government-subsidized biological control practices for pest management in greenhouse pepper cultivation. The data used in this study were collected from 84 greenhouse growers by using a face-to-face interview in Kaş district, Antalya province, in the Mediterranean coastal region of Turkey. The results show a statistically highly significant (p<0.05) relationship between the government-subsidized biological control implemented farms and non-implemented farms with respect to age of farmers, educational level, retirement status of farmers, number of workers, use of agricultural credit, greenhouse working experience, pepper yield, type of greenhouse covering, type of greenhouse ventilation, crop production system, internet usage, farmers association membership, and so on. The results also show that farmers believe biological control practices improve crop quality and yield as well as improve the environment and human health. The agricultural extension agencies and government subsidy policy played an important role in motivating farmers to intensify biological control practices on their farms.

Keywords: biological control, greenhouse production, government policy, pest management, sustainability, sweet pepper, Turkey

Data of the article

First received: 29 November 2018 | Last revision received: 05 September 2019
Accepted: 07 September 2019 | Published online: 29 November 2019
doi:10.17170/kobra-20190709594

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References

Abdollahzadeh, G., Sharifzadeh, M.S., & Damalas, C.A. (2015). Perceptions of thebeneficial and harmful effects of pesticides among Iranian rice farmers influencethe adoption of biological control. Crop Protection, 75, 124-131.doi:10.1016/j.cropro.2015.05.018

Ahangama, D., & Gilstrap, F. E. (2007). Constraints to the implementation of biologicalcontrol in Sri Lanka, Biocontrol Science and Technology, 17(8), 773-795.doi:10.1080/09583150701526989

Bale, J.S., Van Lenteren, J.C., Bigler, F. (2008). Biological control and sustainable foodproduction. Philosophical Transactions B, 363 (1492): 761–776.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2007.2182

Ciccarese, L. & Silli, V. (2016). The role of organic farming for food security: local nexus with a global view. Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society, 4(1), 56-67.

EC (2013) In order to evaluate controls of pesticides in food of plant origin intended forexport to the European union. European Commıssıon, Health and ConsumersDırectorate-General. Final Report an Audit, Carrıed out in, Turkey. DG(SANCO)2013-6684-MRFINAL.

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Published
2019-12-18
How to Cite
Yılmaz, H., & Tanc, Z. A. (2019). Biological control in pest management in Turkey: Comparison of the attributes of participant and non-participant greenhouse farmers in government-subsidized biological control practices. Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society, 7(2), Article Nr. 105. Retrieved from https://thefutureoffoodjournal.com/index.php/FOFJ/article/view/2