Advantages Of Using Pesticides
Pests are an ecological problem and therefore our control strategies must be ecologically sound.
Basically, there are two approaches to pest control:
prevention
cure or removal of the cause.
Modern agriculture is a combination of both and human intervention is necessary, whether it be pulling out weeds by hand, use of pesticides or genetic engineering. Control methods evolve over time as knowledge and techniques improve. This includes the development of chemical means of control which become very important because of a number of advantages. For example:
Cost effectiveness. Farm chemicals are an economical way of controlling pests. They require low labour input and allow large areas to be treated quickly and efficiently. It has been conservatively estimated that for every dollar a farmer spends on farm chemicals he receives $4 return (Anon, 1990a). Production per labour unit has increased while production costs and energy inputs are lower.
Timeliness and flexibility. A suitable farm chemical is available for most pest problems with variations in activity, selectivity and persistence. The best product can be chosen for the situation. This allows more flexibility in management options and better timeliness of pest control.
Quality, quantity and price of produce. Farm chemicals ensure a plentiful supply and variety of high quality, wholesome food at a reasonable price. Modern society demands nutritious food free from harmful organisms and blemishes. Ornamental horticulture also requires unblemished and pest-free plants and flowers. This would be very difficult without farm chemicals.
Prevention of problems. Farm chemicals are frequently used to prevent pest problems from occurring, e.g. preventing weeds in gardens and lawns; treatment of export and import produce to prevent the spread of pests; treatment of stored products to prevent pest attack and destruction during storage.
Protection of pets and humans. Without farm chemicals the treatment of spiders, cockroaches, etc in houses; fleas on pets, etc, would be most difficult.
Protection of the environment. If no farm chemicals were available to control environmental pests like noxious weeds, feral animals, etc, our environment would suffer very badly. Using herbicides to control crop weeds reduces the need for cultivation, thus reducing land degradation.
Farm chemicals are a management tool to aid in the control of pests and their continued use is supported by the conclusions of the Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals in Australia, and even Dr Kate Short of the Total Environment Centre states: "we do not have a problem with pesticides being used as a management tool in pest control in Australian agriculture" (Colston et al., 1990).