A maize farmer monitors the field for Fall Armyworm. The economic injury level (EIL) is given by $\text{EIL}=\dfrac{C}{V\times I}$, where $C$ is the cost of control per hectare ($\text{₦}20{,}000$), $V$ is the market value per ton of maize ($\text{₦}30{,}000$), and $I$ is the yield loss per larva per hectare (0.02 ton per larva). The observed pest density is 150 larvae per hectare.
(a) Should the farmer apply control?
(b) Assuming the control reduces the density to 20 larvae per hectare, calculate the expected profit per hectare with and without control. (Yield without pests is 5 tons ha⁻¹.)

Question

A maize farmer monitors the field for Fall Armyworm. The economic injury level (EIL) is given by $\text{EIL}=\dfrac{C}{V\times I}$, where $C$ is the cost of control per hectare ($\text{₦}20{,}000$), $V$ is the market value per ton of maize ($\text{₦}30{,}000$), and $I$ is the yield loss per larva per hectare (0.02 ton per larva). The observed pest density is 150 larvae per hectare. 
(a) Should the farmer apply control? 
(b) Assuming the control reduces the density to 20 larvae per hectare, calculate the expected profit per hectare with and without control. (Yield without pests is 5 tons ha⁻¹.)

Accepted Answer

Apply control; profit with control = ₦118,000 per ha, profit without control = ₦60,000 per ha

Gce Model Questions Vol1 2018 Agricultural Science Question 18

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