Economic Impacts of Integrated Pest Management in Developing Countries: Evidence from the IPM CRSP

Farmers around the world rely on IPM practices in order to increase their yields and reduce their losses due to pests. Assessing the impacts of previous IPM CRSP studies is crucial for successful continuance of the program and to provide meaningful recommendations to farmers. This thesis summarizes previous IPM CRSP impact studies, and provides additional impact assessments of IPM practices developed on the program. Scientist-questionnaires were sent to scientists in each IPM CRSP site around the world. Using the data from the questionnaire responses in combination with additional secondary information on elasticities, prices and quantities, economic surplus analyses were conducted. The tomato IPM program in Albania, the plantain IPM program in Ecuador, and the tomato IPM program in Uganda resulted in net present values of approximately $8 million, $7 million and $1 million, respectively. Sensitivity analyses for each case were also conducted, and net benefits ranged from $5 to 23 million in Albania, from $4 to 7 million in Ecuador, and from $0.03 to 3 million in Uganda. Additionally, an ordered probit analysis was conducted to determine the factors affecting adoption of IPM technologies in Bangladesh. The level of education, being a female, IPM training and awareness of pesticide alternatives were found to have positive and statistically significant impact on the adoption of IPM technologies in Bangladesh.