Adoption of Integrated Pest Management for Red Palm Weevil Control among Farmers in Saudi Arabia

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, is widely considered to be highly invasive and the most damaging insect pest affecting palms in world. Nonetheless, prevention or significant slowing of spread RPW mainly relies on application integrated management (IPM) programs. This study aimed evaluate farmers’ adoption IPM practices examine differences according socio-economic attributes their farm characteristics. data were collected from 156 farmers through structured questionnaires by Al-Kharaj governorate, Saudi Arabia. findings showed that moderately adopted categories legislative control (54.77%) cultural (50.44%), whereas they a low-level regarding prevention, mechanical control, chemical categories. cluster analysis revealed two variable farmer segments, “low adopters” “moderate adopters”, based average level 23 examined. accounted for 57.1% samples had higher terms all investigated. Significant (p < 0.01) found between groups farmers, corresponding age, education level, size, farming experience, number date trees farm, off-farm income, activities, source irrigation, type growing ‘Khodri’ cultivar, ‘Barhi’ tree spacing. results suggest implementing campaigns increase public awareness consequences resulting non-adoption IPM, enhancing participation area-wide strategy, improving recognition behavior detecting with digital devices are useful actions.