A New Biopesticide for the Control of Fruit Flies in Organic Mango Production: An Ex-Ante Assessment of Returns to Research Using Economic Surplus Model

Abstract

Nowadays, several technical and financial partners are reluctant to support agricultural research because they don’t perceive its impact. So, to gain the support of local authorities and decision-makers, research scientists must bring evidence of its financial viability. Fruit flies are a major constraint to increasing mango productivity in Africa. However, there are other challenges as well. Research scientists have investigated several methods to control fruit flies . This study aims to evaluate the potential economic impact of developing a new biopesticide to control mango fruit flies in Burkina Faso. This concept’s main idea is that the adoption of this new technology would result in higher yields and cheaper production costs. The economic surplus model is the methodology applied in this assessment. This concept’s main idea is that implementing better technology lowers production costs while increasing yield. According to the mango research findings, the net present value is calculated to be 76,740,608 US$, either 46,428,067,840 FCFA, while the social gain is estimated to b e 76,836,954 US$ , either 46,486,357,170 FCFA. This investment yielded an estimated internal rate of return of 190.54%, which is significantly higher than the interest rates that banks charge. Mango production would benefit from the research, notwithstanding the scarce resources. These findings imply that funding research on the new biopesticide would be a fascinating and finan cially feasible substitute for governmental bodies. If research on bodies could benefit from more funding or financial independence, the benefits of devel oping new biopesticides would be amplified.