SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS JULY 1991 ECONOMIC RISK EFFICIENCY OF BOLL WEEVIL ERADICATION

Abstract fits and costs. This shortcoming may be addressed The purpose of this study was to determine the by directly estimating Mississippi Delta producers' economic risk efficiency of implementing a boll benefits and costs of a BWE program. However, weevil (Anthonomus grandis [Boheman]) eradica- only pest control costs prior to BWE program adop-tion (BWE) program in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum tion are available before initiation of the program. L.) producing regions of the Mississippi Delta. Al- Only after a program is established, does there exist ternative producer pest management practices and ex post data on both program and nonprogram costs program cost sharing were incorporated into a bio- and returns. The use of biophysical simulation mod-physical cotton simulation model. Participation in a els offers a solution as the effects of both program BWE program along with strict adherence to Coop- and nonprogram costs and returns may be calculated erative Extension Service pest management guide- prior to program initiation. lines proved to be the risk efficient practice. Biophysical simulation modeling to evaluate the benefits and costs of a BWE program has not re-Key words: cotton integrated pest management, ceived attention. The literature on BWE is limited to boll weevil eradication, biophysical a mathematical programming approach by Simpso