Techno-optimism as a barrier to overcoming herbicide resistance: Comparing farmer perceptions of the future potential of herbicides

Abstract

The purpose of this analysis is to explore how U.S. grower perceptions of the future potential of different weed management approaches is conditioned by faith in technological fixes and how the latter is influenced by the rate and persistence of herbicide resistant weeds (HRW). We ground our analysis in rural studies literature on location and environmental sociological evaluations of techno-optimism. Using a coding typology of techno-optimism,-skepticism, anddissonance, focus group data show that farmers in Southern states responded with more skepticism and dissonance to the potential of chemical herbicides as a solution to HRW while farmers in Northern states, where there have historically been fewer HRW, have greater optimism in the potential of chemicals to solve the problem. We conclude that (1) the presence of HRWs provides an important context for farmer ideology and (2) those working with farmers in areas with high HRW rates may be able to tap into the skepticism and dissonance farmers feel toward the future potential of chemical herbicide solutions by providing integrated weed management alternatives.

Are herbicides a once in a century method of weed control?

“…Rather, they reflect people's beliefs about physical scarcity, which may or may not turn out to be correct . There is evidence that farmers (at least in the United States and Australia) have maintained a high degree of confidence that chemical companies will be able to deliver new products to address resistance problems . Farmers have formed such expectations based on the past record of chemical companies providing new chemistries that address immediate resistance problems.…”

Managing Wicked Herbicide-Resistance: Lessons from the Field

“…This is consistent with what others , Foresman and Glasgow 2008, Llewellyn et al 2002) discovered through both qualitative and quantitative research on farmers' perceptions about HR. Dentzman et al (2016) termed this hope and belief that new herbicides would become available to solve the HR problem as "techno-optimism." However, is this optimism justified?…”

Techno-Optimism and Farmers’ Attitudes Toward Climate Change Adaptation

“…Conventional farmers often highlight the strategic importance of technological advancements in solving challenges pertaining to agriculture. For example, some research has documented a perception among farmers that private seed and chemical companies will supply the next technological breakthrough to solve most problems related to weed (Dentzman et al, 2016). Dentzman et al (2016) used focus groups to examine whether farmers' adherence to a techno-optimist worldview could constrain their adoption of pro-environmental behavior.…”

“…For example, some research has documented a perception among farmers that private seed and chemical companies will supply the next technological breakthrough to solve most problems related to weed (Dentzman et al, 2016). Dentzman et al (2016) used focus groups to examine whether farmers' adherence to a techno-optimist worldview could constrain their adoption of pro-environmental behavior. They found that most farmers had faith in future technologies to provide adequate weed management, which made them less likely to use pro-environmental farming practices, such as holistic weed management.…”