Kasumi Ito

Current status of pesticide use among rice farmers in Cambodia

Knowledge about the current status of pesticide use in Cambodia is critical to attempts to establish an effective pest control system. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to clarify pesticide use by farmers, the number and timing of pesticide applications, and the active ingredients of the pesticides used during rainy season cropping in three study areas in the Takeo (TK), Prey Veng (PV), and Svay Rieng (SR) provinces. The number of pesticide applications and the major active ingredients of those pesticides varied across these areas according to the pesticide package labels stored by farmers. Insecticides and growth activators were often used in TK and PV but were rarely used in SR, except for some herbicides. The farmers tended to apply more insecticides and fungicides, especially when they observed certain pests in their fields. When the three study areas were compared, pesticide application also seemed to depend on demographic profile, the varieties of the crops cultivated, and the reason for cultivation. These results will be useful for determining the optimal approach to pest management in Cambodia.

Stockmanship Competence and Its Relation to Productivity and Economic Profitability: The Context of Backyard Goat Production in the Philippines

A stockperson has a significant influence on the productivity and welfare of his animals depending on his stockmanship competence. In this study, stockmanship competence (SC) is defined as the capacity of the stockperson to ensure the welfare of his animals by providing his animals’ needs. The study was conducted to evaluate the SC of backyard goat raisers and examine its relationship to goat productivity and economic profitability. There were 101 respondents for this study who have all undertaken farmer livestock school on integrated goat management (FLS-IGM). Interview was conducted in Region I, Philippines on September 3 to 30, 2012 and March 4 to 17, 2013. Data on SC, goat productivity and farmer’s income were gathered. Questions regarding SC were formulated based on the Philippine Recommendations for Goat Production and from other scientific literature. Housing, feeding, breeding and health and husbandry management were the indicators used in computing stockmanship competence index score (SCIS). Pearson correlation using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was carried out to analyse the relationship between SCIS, productivity and income. Based from the results of the study, a majority of the respondents raised native and upgraded goats. The computed mean SCIS before and after undergoing FLS-IGM were 38.52% and 75.81% respectively, a percentage difference of 65.23%. Both index scores resulted in significant differences in productivity and income. The median mature weight and mortality rate of goats before FLS-IGM was 14 kg and 30% respectively. After FLS-IGM, median mature weight was 19 kg and mortality rate decreased from 30% to 11.11%. Likewise, fewer goat diseases were observed by farmers who were able to undergo FLS-IGM. With regard to income, there was a 127.34% difference on the median net income derived by farmers. Result implies that improved SC could lead not only to increased productivity and income of backyard goat raisers but also to better animal welfare.

Sustainable Management of Invasive Cassava Pests in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand

Cassava is an important crop, in which root tubers have been known as a staple food in tropical area. Recently, cassava tubers are processed by various methods into numerous products and utilized in various ways. The land area of cassava cultivation has been increasing especially in Southeast Asia. Such a situation is causing an introduction of new cassava diseases and insect pests in the region. In the main part of this chapter, we reviewed the current cassava situation in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand and then illustrated the major cassava diseases and insect pests and their management methods. In addition, we described the international activities developing the cassava agriculture to date, the existing agricultural extension system, and the socioeconomic situation of cassava farmers. Since 2016, we have been conducting SATREPS project to establish a management of invasive cassava diseases and insect pests. At last part chapter, we showed our approach to establish the sustainable agriculture of cassava.