摘要：Agricultural producers in the Texas High Plains are facing the worst comparativeeconomic conditions since 1913. Under these circumstances it is desirable to evaluate whichprograms are beneficial and which are not. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a concept thatwas introduced in the Texas High Plains in 1976. Over the years many IPM practices have beenadopted for the four major crops; corn, cotton, sorghum, and wheat. These practices have beencost or labor saving and have reduced the number and amount of chemical applications. Thereduction in production cost is used as a measure of the economic benefit. Contingent valuationis used to estimate the value of the environmental benefit. The IPM practices, which have beenadopted, reduce the production cost by more than $173 million per year. In addition thesepractices have reduced environmental costs, as estimated by contingent valuation, by more than$99 million per year. The total value of the economic and environmental benefit accruing to theTexas High Plains due to the adoption of IPM practices on the four major crops exceeds $272million per year.
关键词：value of IPM; environmental benefit; cost savings
