Environmental policy and administrative management

Project location:Rostamabad ,Gilan(Lat/Lang:36.825702-49.422684) Since the early 70 s, the prevailing rice protection method in the Caspian coastal region has been chemical application. Biological control was introduced to the region in 1985. Its contribution to sustainability, however, has been very limited so far, mainly due to the fact that it did not incorporate paddy farmers as a main stakeholder. The relevant agencies are currently seeking ways to improve the situation. In response to this need, the project will set in place an appropriate model for sustainable agro-ecosystem management in the pilot site in Gilan Province. Although covering a relatively small area, the project bears significance of national scope because the rural sector needs appropriate and extendible models for sustainable plant protection. Also, public programs often overlook the role of local communities in different phases of formulation and implementation; as such, successful participatory project might be useful in changing the attitudes of public planners and decision-makers. The project aimed to achieve a model for sustainable rice agro- ecosystem management through an appropriate empowerment program of the farmers of rice fields in Rostamabad Village, Rudbar Region of Gilan Province. In the participatory workshops for planning and evaluation of existing conditions the following pests, diseases and weeds were identified as the challenges for which farmers used chemical pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides: Ephydra sp, Chilo Suppressalis, Naranga aenescens, Magnaporthe grisea, Cyperus longus, Echinochloa colonum, Paspalum distichum and Alisma plantago. The project used Training of Trainers (TOT) through Participatory Technology Development (PTD) and Farmers Field School (FFS) approaches in consecutive cropping seasons to train facilitators on integrated pest management and alternative crop management methods (IPM and ICM) for rice agro-ecosystems. These approaches incorporate informal adult education. Drawing and illustration, participatory laboratory and field research and indigenous knowledge were widely used under these approaches. Other activities of the project were: 1-developing a model to reduce the use of agricultural chemicals via IPM and ICM approach, 2-establishing an insect zoo for participatory research on pests, predators, biology and ecology, 3-participatory monitoring, 4-organizing workshops, 5-documentation, 6-extension of the project impacts to neighboring regions.

Iran