DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LANDOWNER AND PRODUCER SUPPORT FOR THE LOUISIANA BOLL-WEEVIL ERADICATION PROGRAM

From a theoretical perspective, both landowners and producers stand to benefit from a successful bell weevil eradication (BWE) program. But, because these two groups do not make decisions based on the same info rmation sets and do not equally share the benefits and costs of the pr ogram, differences occur in their support for BWE. Although producer r eactions to BWE have been documented in previous studies, little is kn own about the role of landowners in the ultimate success or failure of a BWE program referendum. This study examines the different factors a ffecting landowner and producer support for BWE in Louisiana. Results suggest that knowledge, experience, and sources of information play a significant role in both landowner and producer support for BWE. Incom e derived from nonfarm sources was significantly and positively relate d to landowner support for BWE but was not significant in characterizi ng producer support. Instead, producer support was linked to experienc e with advanced pest management practices and a positive opinion of ex tension service information sources. Taken together, the results sugge st that there are opportunities to enhance BWE support by carefully de lineating target audiences and designing education programs that suppl y specific types of information to individuals who will have a voice i n any BWE implementation referendum.