Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T07:34:45.707Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Pesticide Free Production: Characteristics of farms and farmers participating in a pesticide use reduction pilot project in Manitoba, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2007

Orla M. Nazarko ,
Rene C. Van Acker ,
Martin H. Entz ,
Allison Schoofs  and
Gary Martens
Orla M. Nazarko
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
Rene C. Van Acker*
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
Martin H. Entz
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
Allison Schoofs
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
Gary Martens
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
*
*Corresponding author: rene_van_acker@umanitoba.ca
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Strategies for pesticide use reduction have suffered from limited adoption. The impact of such strategies will be greater if they appeal to farmers with typical demographics and attitudes. A participatory, on-farm study was conducted to assess the potential of Pesticide Free ProductionTM (PFP) [Pesticide Free ProductionTM and PFPTM are registered trademarks of the University of Manitoba.] to be widely implemented on mainstream farms in Manitoba, Canada. PFP is a flexible, simple framework intended to appeal broadly to farmers who may not have adopted other pesticide use reduction initiatives. It may also provide a marketable food product label. This novel crop production system prohibits the use of in-crop pesticides and seed treatments during one crop year, as well as prior use of residual pesticides. Applications of nonresidual pesticides (such as glyphosate) are permitted prior to crop emergence. Synthetic fertilizer use is permitted at any time. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine if the demographic and attitudinal characteristics of farms and farmers participating in a PFP pilot project varied depending on the level of PFP implementation; and (2) to compare the characteristics of farms and farmers participating in the pilot project with standards representing average farms and farmers in Manitoba. A total of 71 farmers, representing 120 fields and 11 crops, participated in the study. Fields and farmers were categorized into three groups, based on whether or not fields: (1) achieved PFP certification status and (2) were in transition to organic production. There were few demographic differences among groups. Demographic characteristics of participating farmers were typical for Manitoba, with the exception that participating farmers who were not in transition to organic production had higher levels of education than a random sample of Manitoba farmers. Attitudinal orientation (adherence to a conventional versus an alternative agricultural paradigm) of participants who were not in transition to organic production was similar to that of a random sample of Manitoba farmers. Fields and farms on which PFP was implemented were relatively large in the context of Manitoba averages. Participants indicated high satisfaction with certifiable PFP crops and high levels of interest in implementing future PFP. Pesticide free production demonstrates significant potential for broad adoption in this region.

Keywords

Pesticide Free ProductionPFPintegrated pest managementIPMparticipatory researchpesticide use reductionlow-input agricultureManitobaAlternative–Conventional Agriculture Paradigm scaleACAP scaleflaxspring wheatbarleyoats
Type
Research Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , March 2004 , pp. 4 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Kogan, M. 1998. Integrated Pest Management: Historical perspectives and contemporary developments. Annual Review of Entomology 43:243–270.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Van Acker, R.C., Derksen, D.A., Entz, M.H., Martens, G., Andrews, T., and Nazarko, O. 2001. Pesticide-Free Production (PFP): an idea drawing farmers to practice Integrated Pest Management. In Proceedings of the British Crop Protection Council Conference–Weeds 2001. British Crop Protection Council (BCPC), Farnham, Surrey, UK. p. 269–276.Google Scholar
3Abaidoo, S. and Dickinson, H. 2002. Alternative and conventional agricultural paradigms: evidence from farming in southwest Saskatchewan. Rural Sociology 67:114–131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Duram, L.A. 1997. Great Plains agroecologies: the continuum from conventional to alternative agriculture in Colorado. In Ilbery, B., Hiotti, Q., and Rickard, T. (eds). Agricultural Restructuring and Sustainability. CAB International, New York. p. 153–166.Google Scholar
5Pesticide Free Production Canada. 2002. What is Pesticide Free Production? [Online]. Available at Web site http://www.pfpcanada.com/whatispfp.htm (verified 19 December 2002). Pesticide Free Production Canada, Winnipeg, MB.Google Scholar
6Magnusson, J.E. 2002. Consumer interest in and willingness-to-pay for Pesticide Free Production food products: A probit analysis. MSc Thesis, Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.Google Scholar
7Bultena, G.L. and Hoiberg, E.O. 1983. Factors affecting farmers' adoption of conservation tillage. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 38:281–284.Google Scholar
8Saltiel, J., Bauder, J.W., and Palakovich, S. 1994. Adoption of sustainable agricultural practices: diffusion, farm structure, and profitability. Rural Sociology 59:333–349.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Beus, C.E. and Dunlap, R.E. 1991. Measuring adherence to alternative vs. conventional agricultural paradigms: a proposed scale. Rural Sociology 56:432–484.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10Comer, S., Ekanem, E., Muhammad, S., Singh, S.P., and Tegegne, F. 1999. Sustainable and conventional farmers: a comparison of socio-economic characteristics, attitude, and beliefs. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 15:29–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Constance, D.H., Gilles, J.L., Rikoon, J.S., and Perry, E.B. 1995. Missouri farmers and pesticide use: a diversity of viewpoints. Research in Rural Sociology and Development 6:51–66.Google Scholar
12Wuest, S.B., McCool, D.K., Miller, B.C., and Veseth, R.J. 1999. Development of more effective conservation farming systems through participatory on-farm research. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 14:98–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13Sudman, S. and Bradburn, N.M. 1982. Asking Questions: a Practical Guide to Questionnaire Design. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.Google Scholar
14Jackson, W. 1988. Research methods: Rules for Survey Design and Analysis. Prentice-Hall Canada, Scarborough, ON.Google Scholar
15Babbie, E.R. 1990. Survey Research Methods. Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont, CA.Google Scholar
16Allen, J.C. and Bernhardt, K. 1995. Farming practices and adherence to an Alternative–Conventional Agricultural Paradigm. Rural Sociology 60:297–309.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17Beus, C.E. and Dunlap, R.E. 1994. Agricultural paradigms and the practice of agriculture. Rural Sociology 59:620–635.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18Stokes, M.E., Davis, C.S., and Koch, G.G. 2000. Categorical Data Analysis Using the SAS System. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina.Google Scholar
19Thomas, A.G., Leeson, J.Y., and Van Acker, R.C. 1999. Farm Management Practices in Manitoba: 1997 Weed Survey Questionnaire Results. Weed Survey Series Publication 99–3, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, Saskatoon, SK.Google Scholar
20Padbury, G., Waltman, S., Caprio, J., Coen, G., McGinn, S., Mortensen, D., Nielsen, G., and Sinclair, R. 2002. Agroecosystems and land resources of the Northern Great Plains. Agronomy Journal 94:251–261.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21Nazarko, O. 2002. Agronomic and demographic assessment of fields and farmers involved in a Pesticide Free Production (PFP) pilot project in Manitoba. MSc thesis, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.Google Scholar
22Traoré, N., Landry, R., and Amara, N. 1998. On-farm adoption of conservation practices: the role of farm and farmer characteristics, perceptions, and health hazards. Land Economics 74:114–127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23Lighthall, D.R. 1995. Farm structure and chemical use in the Corn Belt. Rural Sociology 60:505–520.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24Padel, S. 2001. Conversion to organic farming: a typical example of the diffusion of an innovation? Sociologia Ruralis 41:40–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25Egri, C.P. 1999. Attitudes, backgrounds, and information preferences of Canadian organic and conventional farmers: implications for organic farming advocacy and extension. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 13:45–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
26Statistics Canada. 2002. Farm Operator Data for the 2001 Census of Agriculture: Initial Release. [CD ROM]. Catalogue No. 95F0355XIE. Statistics Canada, Ottawa, ON.Google Scholar
27Rogers, E.M. 1983. Diffusion of Innovations. 3rd ed.Collier Macmillan Publishers, London.Google Scholar
28Statistics Canada. 2002. Farm Data for the 2001 Census of Agriculture: Initial Release. [CD ROM]. Catalogue No. 95F0304XCB. Statistics Canada, Ottawa, ON.Google Scholar
29Entz, M.H., Guilford, R., and Gulden, R. 2001. Productivity of organic crop production in the eastern region of the Northern Great Plains: a survey of 14 farms. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 81:351–354.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
30Gertler, M.E. 1992. The social economy of agricultural sustainability. In Hay, D.A. and Basran, G.S. (eds). Rural Sociology in Canada. Oxford University Press, Toronto. p. 173–188.Google Scholar
31Entz, M.H., Baron, V.S., Carr, P.M., Meyer, D.W., Smith, S.R. Jr, and McCaughey, W.P. 2002. Potential of forages to diversify Northern Great Plains cropping systems. Agronomy Journal 94:240–250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
32Swanton, C.J., Shrestha, A., Clements, D.R., Booth, B.D., and Chandler, K. 2002. Evaluation of alternative weed management systems in a modified no-tillage corn–soybean–winter wheat rotation: weed densities, crop yield, and economics. Weed Science 50:504–511.CrossRefGoogle Scholar