Investigating the Health Cost and Productivity Loss of Farm Animals Due to Exposure to Pesticides: Evidence from Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

This paper investigates the health costs and milk productivity losses of farm animals due to pesticide exposure and its impact on farm owners’ profits. This is accomplished using survey data collected from farm owners in Pakistan’s Swat district. For analysis, multiple linear and tobit regressions are utilized. The study finds that the farm owners' experience, the number of lactating buffaloes, pesticide-induced milk losses, disease-induced health costs, and milk losses due to consumption of toxic plants and wastewater significantly affect profits. Specifically, an increase in farm experience by one year leads to a monthly increase in farm profit by Rs. 820.04. Likewise, adding an additional buffalo increases monthly profit by Rs. 535.04. Finally, the monthly loss in milk productivity due to pesticides stands at Rs. 9.71. Farm owners can greatly benefit by improving animal feed along with the know-how of the consequences of grazing animals on pesticide-affected fields.