Integrated pest management in rice production in Tamil Nadu: A resource economics analysis

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is one of the effective steps taken by Farmer's Field Schools of Tamil Nadu, a major rice growing state of India. The present study evaluates the input use pattern and economics of IPM practices followed by rice farmers of Thiruvarur District, the major rice production belt of the State. There was a significant difference between the two categories of farmers (IPM and Non-IPM) with respect to the input use. The resource productivity analysis clearly showed that the yield increases considerably with increase in IPM Adoption Index. The sustainability analysis also suggests that the adoption of IPM practices, is not only cost effective, but also ecofriendly as the share of ecofriendly.