The Adoption of LISA Techniques of Pest Management by North Central Fruit Growers

The Adoption of LISA Techniques of Pest Management by North Central Fruit Growers

Summary

One of the main barriers to the widespread utilization of LISA techniques for pest control in fruit production is the necessity of passing through a period of transition. Growers expect that during this period they will experience a decrease in production, a rise in pest problems, and a reduction in income. These problems arise in part because, relative to other farming practices, LISA techniques appear "lumpy"; they are perceived by some growers as requiring simultaneous implementation as a total package rather than gradual and piecemeal adoption. Given this "all-or-none" perception, farmers are reluctant to move toward LISA methods. The proposed research will determine whether multiple trajectories of transition are in fact feasible and potentially successful.

Those growers who do attempt to implement LISA techniques face another problem. Often it is difficult to obtain accurate information about specific aspects of LISA methods, or the information which is available is not specific to their area or crop. In this situation, farmers seek to adapt the general outlines of certain methods to the specific conditions of their operations. But in doing so, they sometimes alter the practice of the technique to such an extent that either it will no longer be effective or it would not be classified as a LISA technique. A recent survey of fruit growers found that many described themselves as using integrated pest management (IPM) techniques, but from descriptions of their specific practices it was clear that their practices were not significantly different from conventional methods.

Both of these problems occur, at least in part, because models of successful transitions are not available to farmers. Growers who would like to move toward more sustainable techniques are not aware that others have successfully done so, and lack specific information about how their own operations might do so. The proposed project will identify models of successful transitions in fruit production in the North Central region. These models will be publicized to growers and to extension agents who specialize in fruit in the form of transitional guidelines which are incorporated into Cooperative Extension activities through IPM Schools, agent training and a "Fruit Transition" bulletin.

Objectives/Performance Targets

One of the most significant challenges to our society today is the facilitation of the transition from conventional to more sustainable agricultural production practices. To meet this challenge, we need to know the key socioeconomic and production elements that will facilitate this transition. This proposed project is designed to provide that knowledge. Its objectives are:

l.To describe the actual transitions of fruit growers from conventional pest control methods to LISA methods by identifying:

(a)the socioeconomic and production factors which caused growers to shift methods;
(b)the process whereby growers shifted from conventional to LISA methods of pest control; and
(c)the factors which facilitated or impeded that shift.

2.To describe the current state of LISA methods of pest control by identifying the actual practices which growers are using for pest management under the rubrics of IPM, PPM and organic techniques.

3.To forecast the future state of LISA methods of pest control by assessing the economic, social and physical sustainability of growers' current methods of pest control.

Methodology

In order to represent the variety of problems in making the transition to LISA methods of pest control for fruit production, three types of fruit will be selected. Apples are the largest crop in the region; tart cherries are representative of the stone fruits; and blueberries are a high value crop with large direct marketing.

The North Central region can be divided into three agroecological zones - southern coastal, inland, and northern coastal. In each zone, four types of growers will be identified. The first group will be growers who are making a transition from conventional methods of pest control to IPM. The second group will be growers who have fully implemented IPM techniques. The third group will be growers who are making a transition to organic techniques or a similar regime of pest control, while the fourth group will be growers who have fully implemented such techniques. Analysis of the 1990 Michigan fruit survey showed that it was possible to distinguish these four groups. Since a large amount of information is available about growers using conventional techniques of pest control, a conventional group is not needed.

Personal interviews will be conducted with 72 grower cooperators to identify what pest control techniques are currently being used. Growers in the second and fourth groups will be asked to describe the process they went through to make the transition from conventional methods of pest control. Growers in the first and third groups will be asked what approach they are using in making their transitions. All of the groups will be asked what socioeconomic and production factors led to their decision to make a transition.

Sustainability has three dimensions: economic, social and biological. To assess the economic sustainability of the 72 operations, farm budgets will be calculated for each year of the study. To assess sustainability on the social dimension, attitudes toward resource conservation and levels of satisfaction will be measured both for the principal operators and for members of their families. Resiliency, diversity and energy subsidy will be assessed as the key parameters of biological sustainability.

These three dimensions (economic, social and biological) will then be integrated into transitional profiles across time. In conjunction with the other data from the interviews, these profiles will be used to develop different models of the transition trajectory. These models will then be simplified into operational models suitable for implementation. It is these operational models which will be incorporated into printed materials and disseminated through educational sessions by various organic, sustainable farming, and Cooperative Extension organizations.

During the final phase of the project, the results of the analysis will be presented to the cooperators for evaluation. Meetings and electronic and print media will be used to communicate the transition guidelines to other fruit growers in the North Central Region. The dissemination of the results of the research will be facilitated by the dense communication patterns which characterize fruit growers. The results will be presented at a session of the 1994 Michigan State University Agriculture and Natural Resources Week.