A lot of biological agents are available for sustainable agriculture but still many farmers are unaware or un-educated about these agents. What could be reasons behind this?
This is an interesting question that is reflecting the reallity of the agricultural sector.
I really think that these new methods and products are currently in the scientific globe, more than in the 'real' sector. I also think that not many veterinarias or agronomic engineers are trained on that topics, so that farmers do not have knowledge about them.
A part from that, the benefit margins in the agricultural sector is really low (in general) so that the introduction of new products/additives must be very well justified (Return On Investment).
Also, for a matter of simplicity, they prefer not to include many things because the inclusion or one more product difficult the management of their farms, and they try to manage their farms following 'recipes' more than understanding the ecosystems and the market. Such recipes-driven method of managing a farm has been also observed in the organic sector, and it has been called 'conventionalization of the organic/agroecological agriculture'.
Moreover, and in my opinion, if we one have decided to introduce technics like this, a more holistic view should be implemented at the farm level, I mean: it is not only to use a new product, but also understand the whole ecosystem, the interactions among this new products and the microflora, soil dynamics.. and many many things. Otherwise, we would be acting blindly.
With regard to the last two paragraphs, I have realized that few farmers (also those within the organic/agroecology sectors) do NOT try to understand the ecosystems, and their motivations are mainly economic ones (higher selling prices and receiving subsidies for more respectful agricultural practices). In this sense, many research papers talk about:
- the processes of 'conventionalization of the organic agriculture'
- 'the motivations of the organic farmers'
- the causes why they cease producing under the organic system'
Its only just becouse of the problem of educated persion. The educated persions do not take there responsibility. I think its the duty of educated persion they should make aware about this matter to farmers.