DOES THE ADOPTION OF GREENHOUSES REDUCE THE USE OF PESTICIDES AND CHEMICAL FERTILISERS? EVIDENCE FROM INDONESIAN MELON FARMERS

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the adoption of greenhouse technology on pesticide and chemical fertiliser use among melon farmers in Blitar Regency, East Java, Indonesia. Using a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method, this research paper compared farmers who adopted greenhouse technology with a control group of nonadopters, considering various socio-demographic characteristics. Our analysis reveals that while greenhouse adoption tends to reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers, these differences are not statistically significant. The study highlights the fact that the adoption of greenhouse technology has the potential to decrease the farmer’s reliance on chemical inputs and promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The findings underscore the importance of greenhouse technology in enhancing agricultural productivity while mitigating the negative impacts of conventional farming on the environment. This research paper contributes to understanding how technological advancements can support sustainable farming practices in Indonesia.