Farmers’ perception and knowledge about sustainable pest management in an indigenous community, Salasaka, Ecuador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18633/biotecnia.v27.2549Keywords:
Pest management knowledge, use of pesticides, biological control, indigenous agricultural systemsAbstract
The agrarian tradition of Salasaka in Ecuador is characterized by its ancestral heritage. However, the use of chemical inputs and the monoculture have led to a decline in productive capacity. This study evaluated the perception of Salasaka farmers regarding the use of chemical pesticides and their knowledge of sustainable agricultural pest management strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire applied to agricultural producers from the Manguihua Cochapamba Katitawa Community (Salasaka parish). The results showed that 60 % of farmers believe pesticides are effective for rapid pest and disease control, as well as for increasing productivity and stimulating plant growth. However, farmers also perceive negative aspects such as high cost (73.3 %), potential harm during handling (46.7 %), and environmental damage (73.3 %). Despite a high proportion of farmers claiming to know about sustainable pest control alternatives, only a small percentage use them. This highlights the need for the development and implementation of training programs to demonstrate the potential of sustainable pest control practices.
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