Paraquat’s economic benefits to farmers and national trade balances have been quantified in a recent publication. Results collated from farm-scale field experiments and surveys in China, the Philippines and Vietnam present strong evidence that using paraquat contributes to significant increases in the annual incomes of smallholder farmers worth up to $1000/ha each year.
The full paper published in the journal Outlooks on Pest Management can be read here. The main findings are summarised below.
Vietnam
In Vietnam, maize and tea are examples of important annual and perennial crops, respectively, where the use of paraquat is increasing yields and profitability, and improving the soil. Domestically, maize is in great demand for animal feed and tea is an important export commodity. Both crops are grown on hillsides where plowing and high rainfall can mean huge losses of soil by erosion.
Paraquat's key benefits
Fast action allows earlier planting
Rainfast
Safe to crops
Less labor and fuel use
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
Prevents soil erosion
Enhances soil structure and health
More biodiversity
More yield
More profit
Paraquat is particularly suited to help because of its use in no-till farming and its rainfastness.
