Cooperation and Compensation to Mitigate Fungicide Resistance

Abstract

We evaluated grape growers’ awareness of fungicide resistance and willingness to adjust fungicide use practices to mitigate this problem in vineyards. We conducted a pilot study surveying a small group of United States grape growers to assess their knowledge about fungicide resistance and willingness to adjust fungicide use based in the impact that use had on their own farm, and their neighboring farms’ profits. We found that though growers are generally willing to adjust their fungicide use practices if it assisted with the mitigation of resistance, they were less willingness to do so when that adjustment would negatively impact their profits. We also evaluated their willingness to adjust their fungicide use when lost profits were remediated with compensation. To understand the relationship between their willingness to change their practices with compensation and their baseline willingness to do so (without compensation), we conducted a logistic regression. Given the small sample inference, we used bootstrapped estimates and observed an increase on growers’ willingness to adjust their fungicide use when compensation is available. Our analysis underscores the importance of monetary compensations as an incentive tool to fight against fungicide resistance.