Investigating Barriers to Adoption of Biological Control Technology by Vegetables and Fruit Trees' Growers in Some Governorates of Jordan.

Biological control (BC) is an ecological approach that provides environmentally harmonious and safe alternative method for pests' suppression. Biologically based technology is not always easily adopted by the growers. However, extent and level of BC adoption in Jordan is still largely unknown. Therefore, this paper aimed at analyzing factors affecting BC adoption among vegetables and fruit trees' growers in Jordan. For this purpose, Jordanian growers were questioned about their social aspects, types of pests encountered, and BC knowledge, practices, barriers, needs and resources by conducting a survey of growers in some Jordanian governorates during 2014. Results revealed that almost 56% of respondents have never heard about BC or not sure what BC is? and none of the respondents were regularly used BC. The majority (70%) of growers had low level of attitude towards BC and did not monitor (natural enemies) NEs. Almost 76% did not depend on NEs to control pests, and 59% did not do any thing to conserve NEs. The major barriers and needs to start adopting BC were thoroughly discussed, and the most BC agents found in respondents' farms were well documented. The majority of the respondents (66%) stated that BC is neither required nor recommended by Ministry of Agriculture, and 83% of those respondings had not been involved in BC training program. Almost 47% of the respondents would like to change to adopt BC in their farms. There was a positive correlation between growers' education level and each of familiarity with BC, involving in BC training, willingness to change to BC and level of attitude towards BC. Age was negatively correlated with level of attitude towards BC. In conclusion, the findings of this study might contribute to ongoing efforts to promote BC adoption in Jordan in order to provide healthy living conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]