Sustaining the Commons and the Use of Neonicotinoid Pesticides Considered in Terms of Agricultural Marketing: Economic Policy implications of farmers’ and agricultural communities’ pesticides use

This thesis examines the underlying causes of ecosystem damage caused by farmers’ increasing neonicotinoid pesticide use. The author treats certified farmer as a factor that increases pesticide use and environmentally friendly eco-farmers and village farming as factors that reduce it. Another question is whether neonicotinoid pesticides are an alternative to dioxin-containing pesticides. Thus, first, the cause for the use of dioxin-containing pesticides is analyzed. Next, author examines whether the results can also explain the cause behind the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. Additionally, the paddy-to-field ratio is considered an indicator of neonicotinoid pesticide use and the fruit farm-to-field ratio as a negative indicator of its use. By conducting an econometric analysis using panel data in Japan, the author determines that certified farming increases the environmental accumulation of both dioxin and neonicotinoid pesticides. In contrast, eco-farming methods showed the ability to control over both dioxin deposits and the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. With regard to village farming, it has been demonstrated to reduce dioxin deposits but proved difficult in dealing with neonicotinoids, which feature a high level of environmental diffusivity, than to handle dioxins, which are not as water soluble. Further, this study illustrates that the paddy-to-field ratio is a factor increasing neonicotinoid pesticide use. The incentives for using agricultural chemicals to maximize productivity as well as their negative environmental externalities are examined, presenting unique evidence that pesticide use depends on the type of crop being cultivated and the type of farmer cultivating it.