The impact of IPM training on farmers' subjective estimates of economic thresholds for soybean pests in central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze econometrically the impact of IPM training on farmers' economic way of thinking about pest management. The IPM training is expected to increase farmers' acceptable level of pest attack, and reduce pesticide use. The study was conducted in Java, where the training has been widely performed. Panel data on soybeans during 1990-1998 were collected from provincial agricultural agencies. Simultaneous equation models were employed to estimate a function of economic threshold and a function for pest control. Estimation was conducted using random effect panel regressions. The results indicate that pesticide use decreased as the amount of IPM training increased. This means that after participating the training, farmers' subjective economic thresholds for soybean pests increased and pesticide use was delayed. Show more