Cost-effective extension strategies are needed to promote widespread adoption of agricultural
technologies in developing countries. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices, for example,
can offer economic, health, and environmental benefits but remain largely underused.
This study evaluates the current IPM dissemination program implemented by the Bangladesh
Department of Agricultural Extension and uses a linear programming model to examine
alternative strategies to improve IPM adoption. Results suggest that technology transfer
programs may increase their impact by reallocating funding from intensive but costly interpersonal
communication methods (i.e., farmer field schools) to less intensive methods (i.e.,
mass media and field days) that reach broader audiences