Knowledge, science, and practice in ecological weed management: farmer–extensionist–scientist interactions - Ecological Management of Agricultural Weeds - page 99

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Knowledge, science, and practice in
ecological weed management:
farmer-extensionist-scientist
interactions

Introduction

Weed scientists usually cite pervasive crop yield losses due to weeds
and substantial direct and indirect costs of weed control to justify research
and extension budgets (see Chapter 1). Reductions in costs and yield losses
should also be used to evaluate the progress of scientists in solving weed prob-
lems.Ultimately weed costs to agriculture are determined by how farmers and
ranchers manage weeds, not by papers published or field days organized. In
temperate and tropical regions, field crop farmers who use mechanization,
cattle ranchers, dairy farmers, vegetable and fruit growers, and smallholders
on hillsides all devote time and resources to weed management. What is the
role of research and extension in enabling this wide diversity of farmers to
manage their weeds better?
This chapter examines the implications of farmer-extensionist-scientist
interactions for the development of improved weed management. The first
sections review historically how humans have learned to manage weeds. The
chapter then analyzes scientist, extensionist, and farmer perspectives on
weeds. The final sections describe how farmers, extensionists, and scientists
can collaborate to develop field- and farm-level weed management strategies
better adapted to weed patchiness and uncertainty.Case studies from the USA
and Central America illustrate possible working relations among scientists,
extensionists, and farmers.
Three principles for making the on-farm management of weeds more effi-
cient and cost-effective, less risky, and more environmentally sound figure
prominently in the chapter:

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