In the paper it was shown how the use of
pesticides affects agricultural sustainability through
several externalities. One externality that was
shown to affect agricultural productivity was the
development of resistance of targeted pests to
pesticides. The manner in which pesticides reduce
pest infestations and how chemical control creates
a disequilibrum in the agricultural system was
shown graphically. Not only does the control of
pests become unsustainable, but it also extracts an
environmental penalty. Several examples were
provided. The health costs of pesticide use are also high. The private costs to farmers from exposure
to pesticides in Sri Lanka, for instance, were
shown to be high using three valuation approaches.
It was then demonstrated why farmers
continue to use pesticides and in most countries in
increasing quantities despite the high external
costs. The possibility of economic ‘locking in’
occurring as a result of the adoption of unsustainable
economic techniques was shown graphically.
The prevailing agricultural system has ‘locked in’
farmers in the system of pest control technology
which has resulted in their ‘entrapment’ in
pesticides.