Optimal management of crop pests in the presence of agritourism

Abstract The pomegranate industry faces increasing challenges due to pest infestations, particularly from Virachola livia , which threatens production and farmer livelihoods, especially in arid countries like Oman. While the government has implemented an integrated pest management (IPM) program, the growing pest population and rising control costs highlight the need for more effective management strategies. Despite extensive agricultural pest control research, few studies have examined optimal pest management in perennial crops or analytically considered pest behavior and fruit characteristics in estimating crop-related benefits and costs, particularly in the Arabian contexts. Moreover, no previous study has assessed the economic benefits of agritourism in pest management decisions. Therefore, this study develops a stochastic dynamic bioeconomic model to determine the optimal pest management strategy and tree replanting age for pomegranate cultivation under different pest infestation levels, farmer behaviors, and agritourism scenarios. The findings indicate that while pest management is crucial for reducing fruit damage and increasing yields, current practices fail to maximize economic returns. Additionally, integrating agritourism into pest management strategies significantly enhances the overall value of pomegranate farming. The results underscore the need for improved educational programs to align farmers’ pest management practices with socially optimal strategies. Furthermore, the model can be adapted to other crops or expanded to address broader agricultural risks, such as disease outbreaks, wildfires, and climate change, offering valuable guidance for policymakers.