Factors Affecting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Knowledge of Pistachio Growers in Kerman Province

Integrated pest management has an important role towards reducing chemical pesticides use. This method is based on farmers’ technical knowledge and skills. Having such knowledge and skills is essential to adopt the method. Identifying and investigating those factors affecting pistachio growers’ technical knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Kerman province was the main objective of this study. Those farmers who applied IPM in their orchards were the statistical population. Survey was the research method using authors made questionnaire. Based on two-stage cluster sampling method, 225 farmers were selected as sample. Data collection instrument reliability was examined using a pilot study. Findings revealed that extension services and innovations diffusion; farmers’ attitude towards environmental effects of IPM application; average annual income; and level of education could predict about 64 percent of variation farmers’ IPM technical knowledge. Also, indirect effects of personal, technical and economic factors through mediator variables on dependent variables were examined. The results were illustrated in the shape of experiential model. Accordingly, some applicable recommendations have been presented towards farmers’ technical knowledge enhancement at the end of the article.