Impact of farmer field schools on adoption of integrated pest management practices among cotton farmers in Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan, farmer field schools (FFS) are enhancing skills of cotton farmers to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) practices for effective control of pests. To evaluate the impact of FFS on IPM practices, the present study was carried out in the Punjab province of Pakistan. A cross sectional data set of 325 cotton farmers was collected to estimate the impact of farmer field schools on the adoption of IPM practices as well as cotton yield and pesticide demand. A propensity score-matching (PSM) approach was employed to correct for selectivity bias. The results indicate that FFS participants have a higher knowledge level about IPM practices, compared to non-participants. Moreover, the results indicate positive and significant impact of FFS on the adoption of IPM practices, cotton yields and efficient pest management.

Keywords:

• farmer field school
• integrated pest management
• propensity score matching
• Punjab
• Pakistan

JEL classifcations:

• O32
• Q16

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the journal editor and the anonymous reviewers for very helpful comments.

The authors are Scientific Officer and Chief Scientific Officer respectively at Social Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Notes

1. Rosenbaum bounds provide evidence on the degree to which any significance results hings on this untestable assumption. Clearly, if the results turn out to be very sensitive, the researcher might have to think about the validity of the identifying assumption and consider alternative estimation strategies.