RICE FARMERS BACKGROUND, PERCEPTIONS OF PESTS, AND PEST-MANAGEMENT ACTIONS - A CASE-STUDY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Farmers' perceptions of pests were analysed as one component of the integrated rice pest survey conducted by IRRI in Central Luzon, Philippines, with a historical perspective. Correspondence analysis was applied to different groups of descriptors: farmers' socio-economic background, perceptions, and actions to control pests in their past farming experience. The results were interpreted using a modified version of Mumford and Norton (1984) behavioral model. They indicate associations between backgrounds, perceptions, and actions. The results also suggest the major role of informal information channels in the development of farmers' attitude towards pests which could be used to develop integrated pest management methods.