The Economics of Improving Pesticide Use

The objective of this review is to present the general framework used by economists when they analyze whether, why, and what can be done when factors of production such as pest control inputs and knowledge are misused. With this approach, current research by economists in the area of pest management is reviewed in the context in which it has been undertaken. This departure from the general review format has been selected because of the many diverse interrelationships between socioeconomic factors and pesticide use; these need to be better integrated in the minds of econo­ mists and entomologists who provide advice to farmers, national policy-makers, and others in between. To begin, we must acknowledge that the-misuse of pest control inputs is a social problem. The social objectives-nourishment, health, and environmental quality­ are not efficiently being met. Existing productive factors and techniques are not being used as effectively as possible to fulfill these three combined goals that society apparently desires. Solutions to the problem will come through changing the behav­ ior of men. Farmers will use fewer and narrower spectrum pesticides and biological controls consistent with the dynamics of the agroecosystem. Or, perhaps, farmers will plant less vulnerable plants in better patterns and places at better times. The nature and behavior of pests (ignoring adaptation such as resistance) and of chemi­ cals, on the other hand, will remain substantially unchanged. To be sure, there is much that is not yet known about the components and especially the dynamics of the agroecosystem. Clearly, the vast majority of pest management research expendi­ tures are in this area. But such knowledge is beneficial only when implemented­ when the behavior of men changes. How little is known about the components and dynamics of the socioeconomic system must also be obvious and is further demon­ strated in this review. Economists (and theologians) have an exalted, theoretical standard with which the real world is compared. There are no socioeconomic problems if (a) each decision-maker has perfect knowledge, (b) decision making is costless, (c) bargain-