This study assessed the potential economic impact of the introduction of Diadegma semiclausum, an exotic parasitoid of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella, DBM), on cabbage production in Kenya. The study first established yield losses caused by DBM through two methods: measurements from farmer-managed fields and through farmers' interviews. Crop losses were calculated at 31% from farmer-managed fields, and at 36% from farmer interviews. With a crop loss of 31%, yield loss was estimated at 6.8 tons/ha or US$ 452.9/ha, and at US$ 7.9 million per year for the whole country. Control costs as provided from the interviews, amounted to US$ 118.9/ha. The project costs amount to a net present value of US$ 1.2 million. Based on an annual cabbage production of 256,524 tons, a cabbage price of US$ 66.3/ton, a 30% abatement of yield losses, a 7.9% reduction in cost of production, a supply and a demand elasticity of 0.9 and −1.4 respectively, and an annual increase of consumption of 2.6%, the economic surplus produced by the release of the parasitoid was estimated at US$ 28.3 million for 25 years. Consumers were estimated to get 58% of the benefit and producers 42%. The benefit-cost ratio was estimated at 24:1, with an internal rate of return of 86%, indicating a high return to the investment.
Pesticide handling practices have a strong bearing on the exposure of toxic effects to target and nontarget organism. A clear understanding of determinants of pesticide handling practices is a precondition in the design and implementation of policy intervention. To accomplish this, a household survey of 425 respondents was conducted in 2008. Majority of the farmers (85 %) had inappropriately handled pesticides, mainly through, unsafe storage (23 %), unsafe disposal of leftover in either sprays solutions, or rinsate and empty pesticide containers (40 %), failure to wear the required minimum protective gear (68 %), or overdosed pesticides (27 %). However, majority of those farmers were aware of the risks of pesticide use, with over 81 % expressing the view that pesticides have harmful effects on human health, livestock, beneficial arthropods, and on water. Econometric models showed that pesticide handling practices were significantly influenced by variation in record keeping, main source advice on pesticide use, toxicity of pesticide, and geographical location. Pesticide risk perception and negative impacts experiences had no association with handling practices. The study recommends policymakers to design effective, participatory, and location targeted outreach programmes, which deal specifically on promotion of record keeping and reduction in use of harmful pesticides.
This paper investigates the determinants of pesticide-related cost of illness (COI) and acute symptoms, using a balanced panel of 363 farmers interviewed from seven major vegetable producing districts of Kenya. Finding shows that the incidences of pesticide-related health impairments have increased. Variation in number of symptoms and symptom severity significantly explained COI. The personal protective equipment (PPE), education level, record keeping, and geographical location considerably determined health impairments. Encouraging the proper use of PPE and record keeping of pesticide use could greatly reduce poisoning cases and COI.
This chapter discusses the externalities of pesticide use in vegetable production in Kenya. Through secondary data analysis, individual farmer interviews, pesticide residue analysis, expert interviews and workshops, the health and environmental costs of farmerś pesticide use are estimated. The chapter distinguishes between costs, which are actually borne by farmers but are often not attributed to pesticide use, and non-market effects, which are paid by society at large. The implications of these findings in the development of agriculture, environmental and health policies are mentioned.
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