Farm Level Pesticide Use and Productivity in Smallholder Cotton Production in Zimbabwe: The Case of Gokwe Communal Area Farmers

This study uses an econometric approach to estimate the financial benefit that smallholder cotton farmers in Gokwe can derive from increased investment in pesticides. The stochastic production frontier model, which takes into consideration the damage abatement nature of pesticides is used to estimate the Marginal Value Product (MVP) of pesticides. The estimated value for the MVP was $2.03, suggesting potential benefits from increased pesticide use in the study area. This figure is however an overestimate if pesticide use externalities both to human beings and to the environment are taken into account. Multiple linear regression is used to indicate the determinants of pesticide use by Gokwe smallholder cotton producers. Knowledge of integrated pest management techniques and access to extension advice from NGOs have a negative effect on pesticide use while income, perceived crop loss from not using pesticides and advice from pesticide companies were found to encourage greater use of pesticides.