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 in tegrated rice pest survey conducted by IRRI in Central Luzon, Philippi nes, with a historical perspective. Correspondence analysis was applie d to different groups of descriptors: farmers' socio-economic backgrou nd, perceptions, and actions to control pests in their past farming ex perience. The results were interpreted using a modified version of Mum ford and Norton (1984) behavioral model. They indicate associations be tween 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 integra ted pest management methods.