COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BIOPESTICIDES VS. CHEMICAL PESTICIDES IN MANAGING BROWN PLANTHOPPER INFESTATIONS IN RICE

Abstract

The increasing environmental and health concerns associated with the widespread use of synthetic chemical pesticides in rice cultivation have highlighted the urgent need for sustainable pest management alternatives. This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of biopesticides and chemical pesticides in managing brown planthopper (BPH) infestations in rice fields through a combination of field trials and stakeholder assessments. Results from eight comprehensive tables and ten visual figures revealed that while chemical pesticides achieved the highest immediate reduction in BPH populations and slightly superior yields (5.4 tons/ha), biopesticides performed competitively (5.0 tons/ha) with significantly lower pesticide residues in rice grains (0.05 mg/kg vs. 0.35 mg/kg), aligning with food safety standards. It was evident that biopesticides reduced crop damage much more than did chemical pesticides and when their influence on the environment was examined, biopesticides proved less harmful. Biopsesticides needed to be used more often, but they made farmers happier (82%) and more likely to decide to use them (75%). Compared to vertebrates, biopesticide use enhanced the net profit of farmers thanks to good plant health and greater sales potential due to less chemical residue. The findings highlight that biopesticides are a good, environmentally friendly option for handling pests, especially if included as one part of a wider approach. This research suggests a change to sustainable farming, supporting greater biopesticide use by strengthening policies, education and further research.