The same variables were used to assess discernible effects of total
pesticide cost per hectare. Costs were significantly higher in Gujarat
compared to West Bengal and Karnataka. Costs were lower in cabbage
compared to cauliflower, and lower in hybrids compared to open
pollinated varieties. Farm area had a negative effect (however significant
only at the 0.06% level), indicating economies of scale in pesticide use.
Overall, the results confirm that pesticide use differs among states
of India, but location alone did not determine pesticide spraying
pattern. After controlling for location, individual level variables, such
as age, education and experience, had a significant effect on how often
farmers sprayed. Farmers spent more for pesticides and sprayed more
frequently on cauliflower and on open-pollinated varieties.
The fact that farmers used less pesticide and sprayed less
frequently on hybrid cauliflower and cabbage varieties may be
attributed to a lower actual susceptibility of hybrids to insect pests
or a lower perceived susceptibility and requires further analysis.