An Evaluation of the Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts of NSW DPI Investments in IPM Research in Invertebrate Rice Pests

Research into IPM technologies has been conducted by NSW DPI for over 20 years. Evaluating the returns from investment in specific research and development projects is an important component of the NSW DPI science and research program. An economic evaluation has been conducted of IPM in managing invertebrate pests in rice in NSW. We found that there has been widespread adoption of many IPM practices amongst NSW rice growers leading to a flow of economic benefits to the rice industry and the community. Important environmental and human health benefits were also identified. A benefit-cost ratio of 9.05 was calculated for the return to NSW DPI investment in rice invertebrate pests IPM research. The net present value of the benefits of this research to 2020 was $67.9 million. Important environmental and human health benefits were not valued nor were ‘spillover’ benefits to other States.