fairly well established, its inclusion in the M-99 program presented a
unique opportunity to follow the effectiveness of the extension pro-
gram in diffusing information to farmers.

Most of the results from this study were given in the 1977 annual
report. The information given here discusses the effectiveness of
M-99 agricultural technicians' (extension workers) efforts to promote
adoption of rodent control technology.

Of the 252 farmers who were frequently visited (once a week or at
least twice a month) by the technicians, only 32 were adopters. Only
eight of the 68 farmers who were visited less frequently (once a month
or less) by the technicians were adopters. In both cases, only two of
the four recommended practices were adopted and the promotional
efforts of the technicians did not have a significant relationship to
this acceptance. This was due to the fact that only 17 percent of the
technicians had received formal training in rat control.

A lack of proper information about rat control technology and an
absence of rat damage (5-20 percent cut tillers was not considered
high by farmers) were the two reasons most frequently given by farmers
when they explained their reasons for not adopting the technology.
The basis for this reasoning (especially concerning the lack of infor-
mation) was traced back to the lack of technical adequacy of the M-99
technicians themselves and also to the absence of a mass media (e.g.,
radio-TV, newspapers, etc.) informational effort.

No evidence was found to indicate that the adoption of two of the four
recommended rat control practices was triggered by the M-99 rice pro-
gram itself. However, the technology is apparently compatible with
the farmers' existing practices under the M-99 program and is effec-
tive. This is evidenced by the fact that rat damage was reduced in
sample barangays where partial adoption of the technique occurred. In
places where it was not accepted, rat damage was considerably higher.
(Dizon, M.S. thesis.)

Development of an anticoagulant resistance monitoring program on rats
in the Philippines

While acute toxicants, such as zinc phosphide and sodium fluoroacetate
(Compound 1080), have long been the favored rodenticides of farmers in
the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, the advantages
offered by chronic (anticoagulant) rodenticides are now generally
recognized and their use is increasing. However, intensive use of
anticoagulant rodenticides can lead to resistant rat populations.
This is because anticoagulants kill susceptible individuals and favor
the development of genetically resistant populations. This problem