Rice Bund Management by Filipino Farmers and Willingness to Adopt Ecological Engineering for Pest Suppression

Ecological engineering is defined as the design of ecosystems for the benefit of human society and the environment. In Asia, the ecological engineering of rice fields by establishing vegetation on bunds/levees for natural enemies has recently gained traction; however, its success depends on farmers’ willingness to implement changes. We surveyed 291 rice farmers in four regions of the Philippines to assess their bund management practices and willingness to establish bund vegetation that restores rice regulatory ecosystem services for pest management. During pre- and post-open field day (OFD) interviews, we assessed farmers’ perceptions of ecological engineering practices and sought their advice concerning bund vegetation. Over 60% of the farmers grew crops or allowed weeds on their bunds. Vegetables were grown as a source of extra food or income, and flowers were grown for pest management. Among the remaining farmers, their willingness to try ecological engineering increased from 36 to 74% after the OFDs. Furthermore, after the OFDs, willing farmers increasingly (from 2.6 to 15%) cited pest management as a reason to grow vegetables on bunds, and farmers almost exclusively focused on growing vegetables rather than flowers to adapt the system. While 46.5% of farmers who grew vegetables on their bunds applied insecticides, only ca 20% indicated that they would do so after the OFDs, if needed. Farmers had differing opinions on how vegetables would be incorporated into their rice farms. This range of options could be encouraged wherever farmers recognize the potential harm from pesticides for biodiversity and the restoration value of a diversified farm habitat.