Vegetable producer perceptions and willingness to pay for biopesticides

Abstract

Strict maximum residue limits in export markets are likely to place restrictions on pesticide use on vegetable crops in developing countries. In West Africa, the key factors influencing vegetable farmers' willingness to pay for biopesticides as alternatives to chemical pesticides are assessed. The key factors identified from vegetable producers' surveys are access to education and extension services, experience in pesticide use, and the effectiveness of pesticides to control new pests. The adoption of biopesticide as a substitute to chemical pesticide to control the diamondback moth on cabbage would occur more likely in Ghana, given the greater emphasis of extension on awareness and information on integrated pest management (IPM). The low level of awareness and information of farmers in Benin to make a clear difference between biological and chemical pesticides presents unrealistic expectations for biopesticide introductions now. © 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.