Assessing the Effect of Farmers Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Farmer Field School (FFS) on Biological Control against Rice Stem Borer in Mazandaran Province

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Farmers' knowledge and attitude regarding Farmer Field School (FFS) on biological control against rice stem borer in Mazandaran Province. The population of the study included all farmers residing in three villages of Kohnedan, Rangrizmahalleh and Aliabad (N=121). A questionnaire was developed from reviewed literature. The content and face validity of the instrument was established by a panel of experts consisting of technical specialists and staff at the Extension Administration. A pilot test was conducted with 20 farmers in a similar regional township. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Reliability for the overall instrument was 76/32. The results of the study showed that the mean score of technical knowledge of rice farmers (before and after attendance in FFS classes) were significantly different. The mean attitude score of farmers in two villages of Kohnedan and Rangrizmahalleh regarding biological control against Rice Stem Borer before and after their attendance had a positive significant difference. The mean attitude score of rice farmers toward the effectiveness of FFS and sustainable agriculture in most investigated statements before and after FFS classes allendance showed a positive significant difference. It was found in the two villages of Aliabad and Kohnedan, that between the level of participation, and the farm land size there was a positive significant correlation. It was also found that there was a significant negative relationship in Aliabad village, between knowledge gained from FFS participation and, the variable of age. Knowledge gained had a positive significant relation with participation, level of education, and primary knowledge among the farmers in the three villages.