Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture No. 1/08
Farmers’ economic tolerance toward pest infestations: impact of Integrated Pest Management training in Indonesia
Joko Mariyono
AVRDC-ACIAR IDM Chilli Project, Tegal, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
Abstract
In the past, pesticides were used as a matter of routine, but that is
no longer the case. Pesticides will be used if the level of pest attack
exceeds the economic threshold (ET). However, ET is subjective and
influenced by farmers’ knowledge. This study aims to analyse the impact
of training on the change in ET and pesticide use. The study was
conducted in central Java, Indonesia where the training was widely
performed. Panel data on rice and soybeans during 1990-1998 collected
from 20 regions were employed to estimate simultaneous equation models
using panel regression. The results indicate that in soybean farming,
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training caused farmer more tolerant
toward pest infestation; and consequently pesticide use dropped. In
rice farming, however, the IPM training had no impact on ET. The main
reason is that pesticide use did not work anymore in controlling pest
attacks and even triggered an increase in pest attacks.
Keywords: farmers’ tolerance toward pest attacks, economic threshold, pesticide use, IPM-training, rice and soybean
JEL: Q 16, C 33, C 51
Vol. 47 (2008), No. 1: 61-73