Determinants of Farmers’ Perception and Adoption of Integrated Pest Management in Vegetable Production: Evidence from Kavrepalanchok District, Nepal

Abstract

The high use of agricultural chemicals, a hallmark of the green revolution, initially increased food production but has proven unsustainable, with adverse impacts on ecosystems, the environment, and human, animal, and plant health. This has led to the search for integrated measures for plant protection, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Although the net consumption of chemical pesticides in Nepal is relatively low (0.396 a.i. kg/ha) compared to developed countries, careless, unsystematic, and unnecessary use has created a significant chemical pesticide hazard, demanding an expansion of IPM practices. This study, conducted in the vegetable-growing area of Kavrepalanchok district, focused on farmers' perceptions and the economic differences resulting from IPM practices. A survey was administered to 241 vegetable growers, divided into IPM and non-IPM adopters. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and a logit regression model. The results revealed a higher benefit-cost ratio for IPM practices compared to non-IPM practices. Factors such as training, livestock holding (LSU), membership in farmer groups, credit availability, government support, education level of the household head, and access to marketing and other agricultural information were found to significantly affect IPM adoption. Conversely, family size, age of the household head, and land-holding size were not found to be significant factors in the adoption of IPM practices. The findings suggest that institutional development, including market management for IPM products, certification, and the commercial production and availability of biopesticides and other eco-friendly tools, is essential for promoting the wider adoption of IPM.