Farmers' economic tolerance toward pest infestations: Impact of Integrated Pest Management training in Indonesia

In the past, pesticides were used as a matter of routine, but that is no longer the case. Pesticides will be used if the level of pest attack exceeds the economic threshold (ET). However, ET is subjective and influenced by farmers' knowledge. This study aims to analyse the impact of training on the change in ET and pesticide use. The study was conducted in central Java, Indonesia where the training was widely performed. Panel data on rice and soybeans during 1990-1998 collected from 20 regions were employed to estimate simultaneous equation models using panel regression. The results indicate that in soybean farming, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training caused farmer more tolerant toward pest infestation; and consequently pesticide use dropped. In rice farming, however, the IPM training had no impact on ET. The main reason is that pesticide use did not work anymore in controlling pest attacks and even triggered an increase in pest attacks.