Economics of Pesticide Use and Biotechnology in Pakistan’s Cotton Sector

Pesticides are useful in controlling agricultural pests. However, over-utilization of pesticides also entails multiple environmental and human health risks. Cotton is responsible for a large share of total global pesticide use. One option to reduce pesticide use in cotton and associated environmental and health problems is the adoption of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton – a transgenic technology that makes the plant resistant to major insect pests. In Pakistan, where cotton is an important commercial crop, the spread of Bt technology has started recently. This project seeks to quantify environmental and health externalities of pesticide use in Pakistan’s cotton sector and to assess related effects of Bt technology adoption. Combining direct and indirect effects, an attempt is made to estimate socially optimal levels of pesticide use with and without Bt cotton technology.

Researchers involved: Shahzad Kouser , A. Abedullah, Matin Qaim,

Funding: Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) through DAAD


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