Synopsis of Use and Economic Value of Pesticides and Chances for ...

3. ECONOMIC VALUE OF PESTICIDES
Crop losses (pre- and post - harvest) due to pests (mainly insects, diseases, weeds and
rodents) in Nepal have been estimated at 20-35% (Shrestha, 2001). In many instances
pest control certainly pays to the farmers. In Nepal farmers manage the weeds manually
while pesticides (mostly synthetic chemicals) are used against obnoxious pests and
diseases (for example late blight of potato and tomato, rice blast, armyworms etc).
Commercialization of off-season vegetables has become very popular in Nepal near the
high way corridors and city areas. This has stimulated the growers to use more inputs
(specially chemical fertilizers and pesticides). In most cases farmers have been found to
use more pesticides on vegetables. Even then it has been found to be economical. The
following is an example from the IPM research site in Kabhre district (Table 10).
Table 10. Economics of Production of Potato and Tomato at Panchkhal VDC,
Khabrepalanchok District, Nepal, 2000
Particulars
Cost of Production
(Rs / ha)
Quantity Produced
(kg / ha)
Potato Tomato Potato Tomato
Cultural practices (ploughing, 68490 23681 124010 21800
weeding, manure application etc.)
Agricultural inputs 276435 56776
Chemical fertilizers 77158 35968
Seed 119071 1901
Organic manure 76206 5704
Irrigation 714 3880
Pesticides 3286 3880
Others 0 5444
Total 344925 80457
Calculation of Profit and Loss
Potato: 124010 kg X Rs. 10 = Rs. 1240100 – Rs. 344925 = Rs. 895175 (Profit)
Tomato: 21800 kg X Rs. 15 = Rs. 327000 – Rs. 80457 = Rs. 46543 (Profit)
Source: CEAPRED, 2001
4. POSSIBLE REDUCTION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATION RATES
The following are some of the major areas which could help in the reduction of pesticide
application rates in the Hindu Kush region countries.
4.1 Use of Alternatives of Chemical Pesticides
A. Bio-control Agents
Bio-control agents such as parasitoids (Trichogrammatids, Braconids, Chalcids,
Ichneumonids etc.) and preadors (Chrysopa sp.); and microbeals (Bacillus
thuringiensis), some nuclerar polyhedrosis viruses and a fungus (Trichoderma sp.)
have been used in very limited areas in India (Atwal, 1993). Some of these agents are
used in field trials in Nepal (Neupane, 2000).
10