Psychological influences on biosecurity control and farmer decision-making. A review

Increasing plant density is a key measure to close the maize (Zea mays L.) yield gap and ensure food security. However, there is a large plant density difference in the fields sown by agronomists and smallholders. The primary cause of this phenomenon is the lack of an effective methodology to systematically analyze the density loss. To identify the plant density loss processes from experimental plots to smallholder fields, a research methodology was developed in this study involving a farmer survey and measurements in a smallholder field. The results showed that the sowing density difference caused by farmer decision-making and plant density losses caused by mechanical and agronomic factors explained 15.5%, 5.5% and 6.8% of the plant density difference, respectively. Changing smallholder attitudes toward the value of increasing the plant density could help reduce this density loss and increase farm yields by 12.3%. Therefore, this methodology was effective for analyzing the plant density loss, and to clarify the primary causes of sowing density differences and plant density loss. Additionally, it was beneficial to identify the priorities and stakeholders who share responsibility for reducing the density loss. The methodology has wide applicability to address the sowing density differences and plant density loss in other areas to narrow crop yield gaps and ensure food security.

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Costs of Lygus Herbivory on Cotton Associated With Farmer Decision-Making: An Ecoinformatics Approach

Journal of Economic Entomology ◽

10.1603/ec12511 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 106 (3) ◽

pp. 1286-1293 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jay A. Rosenheim

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Farmer Decision Making

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Farmer Decision-Making on the Concept of Coexistence: A Comparative Analysis between Organic and Biotech Farmers in the Philippines

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11090857 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 857

Author(s):

Clarisse Mendoza Gonzalvo ◽

Wilson Jr. Florendo Aala ◽

Keshav Lall Maharjan

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

The Philippines ◽

Environmental Conservation ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Internal Factors ◽

Organic Farmers ◽

Farmer Decision Making ◽

Decision Making Processes ◽

Farmer Groups

Farmer perspectives are relevant for understanding agricultural issues and formulating policies. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional survey on 70 Filipino farmers (i.e., 35 organic and 35 biotech) to understand farmers’ perspectives regarding coexisting farming methods. Internal response variables were tested to verify the type of decision-making processes being undertaken by biotech and organic farmers. Our results showed that a non-linear decision-making process, similar to the Stimulus–Organism–Response Model, was present for both farmer groups. The study also found that biotech farmers were more influenced by internal factors (e.g., consumer resources) than organic farmers, who rely more on external influences (e.g., culture and social interactions), in connection to their coexistence perspective. The presence of “maverick executives” within the organic farmers gives traction to the notion that coexistence can help empower farmers in choosing what farming method is most suitable to their needs. Our data can also provide insights to policymakers in terms of surveying farmer perspectives to balance farmer needs, primarily in yield and income security, with the national agricultural agenda centered on environmental conservation. Thus, farmer perspectives should be considered alongside ongoing studies and debates on coexistence.

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Farmer Decision Making, Decision Criteria, Strategy, Rationale

Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Ethics ◽

10.1007/978-94-024-1179-9_300567 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 879-879

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Decision Criteria ◽

Farmer Decision Making

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An empirical investigation into the role of values in occupational therapy decision-making

British Journal of Occupational Therapy ◽

10.1177/0308022619829722 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 82 (6) ◽

pp. 357-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yvonne Thomas ◽

David Seedhouse ◽

Vanessa Peutherer ◽

Michael Loughlin

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Personal Experience ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Extensive Literature ◽

Therapy Decision ◽

Complex Process ◽

Value Judgements ◽

Psychological Influences

Introduction The importance of values in occupational therapy is generally agreed; however, there is no consensus about their nature or their influence on practice. It is widely assumed that occupational therapists hold and act on a body of shared values, yet there is a lack of evidence to support this. Method The research tested the hypothesis that occupational therapists’ responses to ethically challenging situations would reveal common values specific to the occupational therapy profession. A total of 156 occupational therapists were asked to decide what should be done in five common-place yet ethically complex situations, presented as scenarios for debate. Results The results show that while most occupational therapists share very general values, they frequently disagree about what to do in practice situations, often justifying their choices with different and sometimes conflicting specific values. In some cases, the same respondents espouse contradictory values in similar situations. Conclusion The extensive literature about decision-making – together with the study’s results – confirm that when occupational therapists make decisions, they draw on multiple factors, consciously and unconsciously. These factors vary between individuals. Value judgements are one part only of a complex process which includes personal experience, intuition, social influences, culture, psychological influences and relationships with both colleagues and clients.

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