Determination of factors Influencing the Adoption of Biological Control of Pests in Rice Farms (The case of Sari county, Mazandaran province)

The main purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing the adoption of biological control by paddy farmers. The population consisted of paddy farmers in SariCounty. Sampling of 260 farmers was selected by using proportional random sampling method. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire. Validity of questionnaire was confirmed by Agricultural Jihad experts of SariCounty and some faculty members at University of Tehran. Cronbach’s alpha was used to estimate the reliability. The reliability was found to be acceptable. The results revealed that the educational level, farming income, level knowledge of biological control, level of social participation, level influence of opinion Leadership, participation in extension-education courses, number of extension contacts have been positively and significantly correlated with level of adoption of biological control by paddy farmers. Also, the findings of correlation revealed that age, number of family work force, agricultural experience have been negatively and significantly correlated with level adoption of biological control among paddy farmers. Regression analysis indicated that about 44.8% of the variation in the extent of biological control application by paddy farmers, could be explained by variables consisting different levels of knowledge about the biological control and taking time of participation in extension-education courses.