Health cost and economic loss due to excessive pesticide use in apple growing region of Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract: Jammu and Kashmir, the northern most state is one of the most important apple producing states of India. The pesticide trade has increased tremendously in the region which affects both environment and human health. This paper presents and estimated the cost of illness resulting from pesticide-related acute health symptoms in the apple growing region of Jammu and Kashmir. Apple growers reported as many as 15 serious issues and symptoms associated with the use of pesticides in the region. The study employs Cobb-Douglas linear production function, Cost of Illness method and Contingent valuation method through Willingness to Pay for analysing the requisite data. The study reveals that pesticide sprays and chemical fertilisers contribute 17.25 and 24.23 per cent to the overall apple production in the region. There is a decrease of 7.72 per cent cost of illness if the respondent who applies pesticides is a male and similarly, age of the respondent is having 0.35 per cent impact and incurs huge cost for the illness due to exposure. Similarly, household willingness to pay (WTP) for safer pesticides states that highly qualified respondents in the area are ready to pay 63.59 percent more than the less qualified/illiterate respondents.