Government intervention in crop protection in developing countries

Government interventions in the pesticide market are necessary, particularly in developing countries because of a high likelihood of market failure. The green revolution in Asia made governments introduce programmes which relied heavily on pesticide-based solutions to pest problems. With growing environmental concerns in donor and developing countries, a higher priority is given to natural factors of control. From a review of various types of government interventions it is concluded that government investments related to pest management should focus on reducing the dependence on pesticides rather than concentrating on the minimization of their side-effects.