Determinants of the adoption of biological control of the Diaphorina citri by citrus growers in São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

This study evaluates the adoption of biological control of the Diaphorina citri and the citrus growers’ willingness to pay for biopesticides. The citrus greening continues to spread over Brazilian orchards, reaching 17.89% of all citrus trees in 2015. Utilizing data from a survey with decision-making agents from the sector, this paper used a logit model to obtain the determinants and a contingent valuation method to elicit growers’ willingness to pay for a biopesticide. Results showed high acceptability of growers to the biocontrol. Important factors regarding its adoption included experience in growing citrus, a high level of education and dependence on citrus production. Producers from São Paulo’s southern region paid the highest value for the biopesticide. We observed that worsening of the disease has led players from citrus chain to search for new forms of insect control.