Weed control practices on Costa Rican coffee farms: is herbicide use necessary for small-scale producers?

Abstract: This paper presents research conducted during two coffee farming seasons in Costa Rica. The study examined coffee farmers' weed management practices and is presented in the form of a case study of small-scale farmers' use of labor and herbicides in weed management practices. Over 200 structured interviews were conducted with coffee farmers concerning their use of hired labor and family labor, weed management activities, support services, and expectations about the future of their coffee production. ANOVA and regression analyses describe the relationships between farm size, labor, and herbicide use, and three farm types (i.e., conventional, semi-conventional, and organic). Based on findings regarding the amount of labor used to manually control weeds on different types of farms (large farms, small conventional, semi-conventional, and organic farms) I am able to challenge small conventional farmers’ perceived need for herbicide use. Semi-structured interviews of coffee farmers and ex

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Postprint ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; In: Agriculture and Human Values ; 28 (2010) 2 ; 167-177

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Landwirtschaft, Veterinärmedizin

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Mannheim
• (when): 2010
• Creator: Bellamy, Angelina Sanderson

Further information

• DOI: 10.1007/s10460-010-9261-2
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-251392
• Rights: Open Access unbekannt; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 25.03.2025, 1:53 PM CET