Landscape-level feedbacks in the demand for transgenic pesticidal corn in the Philippines
Issue Date
2-2021
Abstract
We introduce a novel econometric approach to estimate economic pest control feedbacks within agroecological systems, using discrete choice endogenous sorting models. We apply this approach to deployment of transgenic Bt maize in the Philippines. We show with basic theory how areawide pest suppression from largescale Bt maize deployment attenuates farmers' demand for this technology. Econometric results support this hypothesis and imply long-run demand for the Bt trait is price-inelastic, contrasting with price-elastic demand estimated from a model without feedback. Investigating whether this feedback truly derives from areawide pest suppression, we analyze farmers' pest infestation expectations and find expected damages are significantly reduced by higher areawide Bt deployment. We discuss implications of these findings and other potential applications of the econometric approach to study coupled biological and economic systems.
Source or Periodical Title
Ecological Economics
ISSN
0921-8009
Volume
180
Page
1-11
Document Type
Article
Physical Description
graph, tables
Language
English
Subject
Agroecology, Areawide pest suppression, Bioeconomic feedbacks, Crop choice, Discrete choice models, Endogenous sorting
Recommended Citation
Brown, Z.S., Connor, L., Rejesus, R.M., Yorobe, J.M. (2021). Landscape-level feedbacks in the demand for transgenic pesticidal corn in the Philippines. Ecological Economics. 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106883.
Identifier
DOI:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106883
Digital Copy
yes
En – AGROVOC descriptors
AGROECOLOGY, AREAWIDE PEST SUPPRESSION; BIOECONOMIC FEEDBACKS; CROP CHOICE; DISCRETE CHOICE MODELS; ENDOGENOUS SORTING