Home Institution
Illinois Wesleyan University
Publication Date
Spring 2020
Abstract
Insect damage is a major concern for smallholder farmers in developing countries like Tanzania. Synthetic insecticides can tame infestations, however they can be expensive, inaccessible, and their misuse can threaten farmer health and ecological conditions. Botanical insecticides are cheap alternatives to treat infestations while preserving beneficial insects such as pollinators, predators, and parasitoids. This study assesses how both synthetic and botanical insecticides affect beneficial insects, crop yield and profit/costs. This study finds botanical insecticides slightly less harmful towards non-target insects. Botanical insecticides seldomly improve crop yields but usually result in a higher profit/lower cost. Due to high variation in ecological and economic results, I recommend implementing botanical insecticides as an alternative to synthetic insecticides or using synthetic insecticides as a supplement to botanical insecticides. These recommendations should be linked with improved insecticide training and regulation to ensure safety and efficacy.
Disciplines
African Studies | Agricultural and Resource Economics | Agricultural Science | Agriculture | Biodiversity | Entomology | Environmental Health and Protection
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Lilia, "Ecological and Economic Benefits and Risks of Using Botanical Insecticides in Tanzanian Farms" (2020). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3372.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3372
Included in
African Studies Commons, Agricultural and Resource Economics Commons, Agricultural Science Commons, Agriculture Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Entomology Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons
Program Name
Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology