A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006

Crucifer production in Da Lat was emphasized through grant assistance from FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) by providing the IPM-FFS (Integrated Pest Management-Farmer Field School) training program on pest management. In 1995, the biological controls of Diadegma semiclausum (DS) and Diadronuls collaris (DC) were introduced in Da Lat from Malaysia. After 2 years, these parasitoids were applied in the fields of most communes in Da Lat. During last five year since 2000, the populations of DS and DC are still high in the biological area of Commune 5, 8, 9, 11. Along with that, number of farmers trained on IPM and crop management are increasing. The biological control club is still running well by rearing DS and DC in commune 11. At the same time, farmers joining IPM-FSS class were trained on combining Parasitoids of DS and DC with Bt to control DBM problems in crucifer crops. There are three Bt products which are most effective on Diamondback moth (DBM) management in Da Lat, namely Biocin, Xentari and Delfin. By using biological control method, the HH income of farmers increased by reducing the high input cost from agro-chemical (chemical fertilizer and chemical pesticide). Fifty-five farmers using biological control use and sixty eight farmers using chemical insecticides were interviewed to get the detailed information on farm household production, socioeconomic conditions as well the status of pest management. Farmers who attended IPM-FSS reduced or stopped using chemical pesticide by increasing biological control method in controlling DBM. The analysis shows that, farmers attending the IPM-FSS had reduced 11.4% of total crucifer input cost compared with farmers those did not attend the IPM-FSS. However, analysis of IPM-FFS impacts show that, the total crucifer yields of farmers in biological control group is lower than crop yields of households in chemical insecticide group and the price at the market too. The total household income of HH in biological control group is slightly lower than total household income of households in chemical insecticide group, but due to the reduction of 11.4% total production input cost, farmers in biological control group received higher amount of profit than households in chemical insecticide groups. The study also identified various socioeconomic and production factors influencing cnicifer production in Da Lat farmers using chemical insecticide are facing problems from DBM, and have to incur high input cost, as well incidence of swell-root disease. In common, major constraints of biological control are however, dangerous disease of swelled-root in crucifer, price fluctuation and lacking of market in selling good products. Strategy for crucifer production in Da Lat are recommended by emphasizing the safe vegetable production through use of biological controls as well increasing number of farmers in IPM-FFS program. It is also recommended that, providing and creating the market for selling good crucifer products in Da Lat in order to promote and improve the current quality of vegetables