Elena Fusar Poli
The Difficult Decision of Using Biopesticides: A Comparative Case-Study Analysis Concerning the Adoption of Biopesticides in the Mediterranean Region
Fusar Poli, Elena; Campos, José Miguel; Martínez Ferrer, María Teresa; Rahmouni, Ridha; Rouis, Souad; Yurtkuran, Zeynep; Fontefrancesco, Michele Filippo
Authors
José Miguel Campos
María Teresa Martínez Ferrer
Ridha Rahmouni
Souad Rouis
Zeynep Yurtkuran
Michele Filippo Fontefrancesco
Abstract
The adoption of biopesticides in Mediterranean agriculture is shaped by environmental, economic, and socio-cultural factors. This study explores the push and pull factors influencing farmers’ decisions in Spain’s Ebro Delta, Tunisia’s Nabeul region, and Turkey’s Adana province. Through qualitative fieldwork and comparative analysis, key barriers to adoption are identified, including high costs, limited market availability, skepticism about efficacy, and reliance on conventional pesticides. However, this study also highlights opportunities driven by regulatory changes, increasing market demand for sustainable products, and the potential of biopesticides to improve ecological sustainability. The research follows a comparative case-study approach and was conducted between January and November 2024. The methodology included a literature review, two rounds of qualitative interviews with farmers, and thematic analysis to identify barriers and enabling factors, ensuring methodological rigor and cross-validation. Findings indicate that farmers’ professional ethos and economic conditions significantly limit biopesticide adoption. Perceived inefficacy, high production costs, and low profit margins reinforce reluctance. Spain struggles with skepticism, Tunisia faces economic and informational barriers, and Turkey’s reliance on traditional practices slows innovation. Despite these obstacles, key drivers facilitate adoption, including improved agricultural education, cooperative support, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable products. Legal frameworks, particularly the EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy, play a crucial role, though top-down policies risk local resistance. This study outlines a model for biopesticide adoption based on seven key factors, with legal frameworks and farm structure emerging as primary drivers. Addressing economic and educational barriers is crucial for widespread adoption. By implementing targeted policies, Mediterranean agriculture can become a model for sustainable practices, balancing productivity and environmental stewardship.
Citation
Fusar Poli, E., Campos, J. M., Martínez Ferrer, M. T., Rahmouni, R., Rouis, S., Yurtkuran, Z., & Fontefrancesco, M. F. (2025). The Difficult Decision of Using Biopesticides: A Comparative Case-Study Analysis Concerning the Adoption of Biopesticides in the Mediterranean Region. Agriculture, 15(6), Article 640. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060640
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Acceptance Date | Mar 14, 2025 |
Online Publication Date | Mar 18, 2025 |
Publication Date | Mar 2, 2025 |
Deposit Date | May 30, 2025 |
Publicly Available Date | May 30, 2025 |
Journal | Agriculture |
Electronic ISSN | 2077-0472 |
Publisher | MDPI |
Peer Reviewed | Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 15 |
Issue | 6 |
Article Number | 640 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060640 |
Keywords | Mediterranean agriculture, sustainable farming, push and pull factors, science and technology studies, ecological transition, biopesticides |
Public URL | https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3789925 |
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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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