Beliefs and management practices of weedy rices: A comparison among male and female rice farmers in the Mekong Delta, South Vietnam
Abstract
A survey of 200 male and female rice farmers in irrigated low land rice areas of Can Tho province revealed that more than half of the male and female farmers interviewed could identify weedy rice which is locally called \"lua lon\" and one fourth of them called them as \"lua ma\". A higher proportion of the male farmers (51%) than female farmers (44%) could identify two types of weedy rice. They were able to differentiate different types of weedy rice based on the presence of awn and awn length, shattering characteristics, leaf color and time of flowering. Both male and female farmers observed a higher occurrence of weedy rice during the Spring- Summer season when farmers do not till their lands. Female farmers estimated that weedy rice could reduce rice yields by 40%. There is no gender difference in the beliefs of weedy rice biology and management, except that more male farmers than female strongly believe that weedy rice is always shattering and that early flooding does not affect weedy rice infestation. Because of the long-term experience of female farmers in rice farming, particularly in weed management, their beliefs and management practices do not differ with men. Thus, training and extension programs should include both male and female farmers in activities related to integrated methods for weed and weedy rice management.
Citation
Truong Thi Ngoc Chi; Tran Thi Ngoc Mai; Tran Quang Tuyen; Paris, T.R.; Heong, K.L. Beliefs and management practices of weedy rices: A comparison among male and female rice farmers in the Mekong Delta, South Vietnam. Omonrice (2002) 10: 101-106.