The paper analyses trends in consumption, productivity and the determinants of pesticide use in
Bangladesh over a 33 year period (1977–2009) including a discussion on the scope to expand
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. Pesticide use grew at an alarming rate of 10.0%
per year (p<0.01) although corresponding response in yield growth of major crops has been
minimal (<1.0% per year). Pesticide productivity (i.e., ‘gross value added from crops at
constant prices’ per ‘kg of active ingredients of all pesticides used’) is declining steadily at a
rate of -8.6% per year (p<0.01). Adoption of green revolution technology, crop diversification,
average farm size and literacy rate are the significant determinants of pesticide use whereas
R&D investment depresses pesticide use. Consistent evidence of excessive pesticide use in
Bangladesh was observed. Although the government has shifted focus from pesticide use to IPM,
its coverage remains inadequate as only 7.4% of the total farmers are covered after 30 years of
effort. Tighter pesticide regulation and its effective implementation, and expansion of IPM
through public, private and NGO stakeholders are suggested to reduce pesticide consumption