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Can an Education Program Be a Substitute for a Regulatory Program That Bans Pesticides? Evidence from a Panel Selection Model
Author(s) -
Goodhue Rachael E.,
Klonsky Karen,
Mohapatra Sandeep
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.949
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1467-8276
pISSN - 0002-9092
DOI - 10.1093/ajae/aaq032
Subject(s) - productivity , selection (genetic algorithm) , pesticide , panel data , business , agriculture , panel survey , program design language , public economics , economics , engineering , economic growth , computer science , biology , socioeconomics , econometrics , artificial intelligence , ecology , agronomy , software engineering
Governments, nonprofit organizations, and grower groups have expended considerable resources on agricultural extension and education programs, even though the evidence regarding the impact of these programs on farmers’ technology choices and productivity is mixed. Many of the studies finding substantial effects have methodological problems. We control for these methodological problems by using a panel selection model to examine the effect of the Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems program on California almond growers’ replacement of organophosphate pesticides with alternatives considered less environmentally harmful. We find that the program significantly decreased organophosphate use, suggesting that grower education programs can be an effective policy tool.