Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Risk aversion and the use of pesticides of Swiss fruit farmers – the example of fire blight
The interplay of risk preferences and pesticide use in Swiss fruit production shall be assessed using information of warning systems for fire blight, as well as records of actual pesticide use.
Keywords: risk aversion pesticides Swiss fruit farmers fire blight risk preferences interplay warning systems Erwinia amylovora pear production alert strategies Switzeland indicator precautious plant protection products PPP personal characteristics
Context:
Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) is a highly contagious pest affecting apple and pear production, among others. To target fireblight a system of warnings with different alert stages is used in Switzerland. This system is intended to be used by farmers as an indicator for precautious treatment with plant protection products (PPP). Treatment strategies taken by farmers might differ with regard to personal characteristics such as risk preferences.
Research questions:
1.) What are the effects of fire blight on Swiss fruit production, and most important PPP used?
2.) How does risk aversion of farmers affect pesticide use?
3.) Description of the warning system for fireblight in Switzerland and analysis for different cantons over time.
4.) Comparing the actual use of PPP against fireblight with actual warnings in the given time periods using a unique data set on pesticide use of Swiss fruit producers (SOA).
5.) Econometric analysis of the effect of a farmers risk aversion on the precautious use of PPP fighting fireblight.
Methods:
1.) Literature research.
2.) Descriptive statistical analysis of a unique data set on pesticide use of Swiss fruit producers and fireblight occurrence.
3.) Econometric analysis of production decisions under risk.
Literature:
Bonn, W. G., & van der Zwet, T. (2000). Distribution and economic importance of fire blight. Fire blight: the disease and its causative agent, Erwinia amylovora, 37-53.
Bravin E., Hanhart J., Carint D., Dietiker D. (2014). Support Obst Arbo: Ein Netzwerk für den Betriebsvergleich im Obstbau. Agrarforschung Schweiz 5(11+12), 482-489.
Chavas, J. P. (2004). Risk analysis in theory and practice. Academic Press.
Horowitz, J. K., & Lichtenberg, E. (1994). Risk‐reducing and risk‐increasing effects of pesticides. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 45(1), 82–89.
Context: Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) is a highly contagious pest affecting apple and pear production, among others. To target fireblight a system of warnings with different alert stages is used in Switzerland. This system is intended to be used by farmers as an indicator for precautious treatment with plant protection products (PPP). Treatment strategies taken by farmers might differ with regard to personal characteristics such as risk preferences.
Research questions: 1.) What are the effects of fire blight on Swiss fruit production, and most important PPP used? 2.) How does risk aversion of farmers affect pesticide use? 3.) Description of the warning system for fireblight in Switzerland and analysis for different cantons over time. 4.) Comparing the actual use of PPP against fireblight with actual warnings in the given time periods using a unique data set on pesticide use of Swiss fruit producers (SOA). 5.) Econometric analysis of the effect of a farmers risk aversion on the precautious use of PPP fighting fireblight.
Methods: 1.) Literature research. 2.) Descriptive statistical analysis of a unique data set on pesticide use of Swiss fruit producers and fireblight occurrence. 3.) Econometric analysis of production decisions under risk.
Literature: Bonn, W. G., & van der Zwet, T. (2000). Distribution and economic importance of fire blight. Fire blight: the disease and its causative agent, Erwinia amylovora, 37-53. Bravin E., Hanhart J., Carint D., Dietiker D. (2014). Support Obst Arbo: Ein Netzwerk für den Betriebsvergleich im Obstbau. Agrarforschung Schweiz 5(11+12), 482-489. Chavas, J. P. (2004). Risk analysis in theory and practice. Academic Press. Horowitz, J. K., & Lichtenberg, E. (1994). Risk‐reducing and risk‐increasing effects of pesticides. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 45(1), 82–89.
The goal of the thesis is an assessment of pesticide use under risk in the context of Swiss fruit farming and the occurrence of fireblight.
The goal of the thesis is an assessment of pesticide use under risk in the context of Swiss fruit farming and the occurrence of fireblight.