Growing global concern over pesticide overuse has spurred new agricultural reforms. In Iran’s rice heartland, a pioneering study titled “Transforming farmers’ behavior: embracing reduced pesticide use under the Integrated Crop Management Program” explores how government interventions are influencing farming practices.
Researchers from Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Zanjan surveyed 307 rice farmers in Mazandaran province to assess how the Integrated Crop Management Program (ICMP) affects attitudes toward pesticide reduction.
The results show mixed progress: only 32% of farmers reduced pesticide use after ICMP implementation, while nearly 45% continued using the same amount. Key motivators for change included higher education, health risk awareness, and satisfaction with ICMP guidance. However, economic pressures, such as maintaining yields and income, discouraged many from cutting back.
Despite modest results, loyalty to the ICMP remains strong—70% of farmers expressed willingness to continue the program. The study concludes that to strengthen its impact, the ICMP should combine farmer training with economic incentives, improved communication about health hazards, and demonstrations of successful eco-friendly practices.
These insights provide valuable lessons for policymakers across developing nations seeking to balance agricultural productivity with environmental protection.
Reference
Abdollahzadeh, G., Sharifzadeh, M. S., Ahmadi-Gorgi, H., & Jahantigh, M. S. (2025). Transforming farmers behavior: embracing reduced pesticide use under the integrated crop management program. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences, 24(6), 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44447-025-00003-0
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