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โครงการหนังสืออิเล็กทรอนิกส์ด้านการเกษตร เฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัว

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Policy Options for Environmentally Friendly Pest Management in Thailand
Suwanna Praneetvatakul and et al.
Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart University, Bangkok

Abstract

Adverse environmental and health affects from chemical pesticide use still remains
crucial problem at present. The overall objective of the project was to draw policy options

for environmentally friendly pest management. Data were collected from various secondary

sources. Primary data were gathered from 303 interviewed vegetable farm households in
Pathumthani, Nakorn Pathom and Ratchaburi provinces in 2016 cropping period. Descriptive

and quantitative analysis were performed by describing the current pest management of

vegetable farm households. Risk attitude was evaluated. Choice experiment was applied to
obtain vegetable farmers preferences on options for environmentally friendly pest

management (EFPM).
The results showed that pest management of most vegetable farm households was

chemical pesticide (86%). The improper use of chemical pesticide use was commonly found

in the area such as mixed several pesticides in cocktail before spraying and no management
of pesticide containers after use. Environment affects from chemical use were soil

degradation, air pollution, water pollution and reduction of natural enemies. When
considering the risk attitude, most chemical pesticide farmers were risk aversion. The results

showed that enhancing farmer knowledge on alternative pest management practices could

significantly change farmers risk attitude towards more environmentally pest management. In
terms of farmer preference on options for EFPM, the average willingness to pay of farmers to

have a better farm ecosystems, low chemical pollution, high natural enemies in the farm,

good health and low risk to long run cancer was valued at 27,986 Baht/Rai/cropping season.
Therefore, government allocation of budget for EFPM is suggested. Environmental tax

needs to be considered by related agencies as a source of funding. Department of

Agricultural Extension should allocate sufficient budget to promote IPM throughout the
countries. Department of Agriculture should consider a certified eco-label. More researches

on EFPM should be supported.
Keywords: Environmentally friendly pest management, risk attitude, choice model, vegetable

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Research funded by Thailand Research Fund (TRF) finished by February 2017.

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