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Qualitative Cost-Benefit Analysis of Using Pesticidal Plants in Smallholder Crop Protection

Author

Listed:
  • Angela G. Mkindi

    (Department of Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha P.O. Box 447, Tanzania)

  • Richard Coe

    (World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
    Statistics for Sustainable Development, Reading RG1 4QS, UK)

  • Philip C. Stevenson

    (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3DS, UK
    Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK)

  • Patrick A. Ndakidemi

    (Department of Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha P.O. Box 447, Tanzania)

  • Steven R. Belmain

    (Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK)

Abstract

Assessing the potential drivers of farmers using pesticidal plants for crop protection is essential for wider adoption. However, few studies have focused on collaborative assessments of the underlying trade-offs when using pesticidal plant extracts for pest control. Smallholder farmers in northern Tanzania involved in farmer driven research assessing pesticidal plants evaluated the costs, benefits, trade-offs and areas for future investment. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic information from 77 farmers and their views on pest problems and crop protection in common bean production. This was followed by small focus group discussions (n = 9) using a participatory framework to elucidate the costs and benefits of adopting pesticidal plant technology. A multiple correspondence analysis showed that pesticidal plant use was associated with men greater than 50 years old, and synthetic pesticide use was associated with younger aged farmers and women. Farmers who used synthetics generally did not report the presence of common pest species found in common bean production, whereas farmers who used pesticidal plants were associated with more frequent reports of pest species. This participatory cost–benefit analysis highlighted that tools and processing challenges were the main costs to using pesticidal plants. The main benefit reported when using pesticidal plants was a general improvement to family health. Farmers expressed overall a positive outcome when using pesticidal plants for crop protection and recommended that future investments focus on improving access to tools and education regarding plant processing and extraction to improve uptake of the technology by smallholder farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Angela G. Mkindi & Richard Coe & Philip C. Stevenson & Patrick A. Ndakidemi & Steven R. Belmain, 2021. "Qualitative Cost-Benefit Analysis of Using Pesticidal Plants in Smallholder Crop Protection," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:10:p:1007-:d:656864
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Baidoo, P. K. & Mochiah, M. B., 2016. "Comparing the Effectiveness of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and Hot Pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) in the Management of the Major Pests of Cabbage Brassica oleracea (L.)," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 5(2).
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