Economic Impact on Tea by using pesticides.
Cost effectiveness/ Effect of herbicides on cost of production
There are different methods of controlling the pests. They are biological, chemical and manual methods. From them using Pesticides or the chemical method is more beneficial. Using pesticides is an economical way of controlling pests. When comparing to other methods the labor needed, time required is less. So the cost that is allocated as labor wages are not comparatively low and the productivity and efficiency are high. Pesticides require low labor input and allow large areas to be treated quickly and effectively. Of all field operations In general expenditure on weed management in tea accounts for about 10-14 % of the cost.
Increase Yield
In tea cultivation we use the immature tea leaves as the raw material. The leaf quality of tea is directly effect for the quality of the end product. With the pest and disease attack the leaves get damaged and the surface area reduced and it degrades the quality of the end product. Pesticide facilitate to reduction of pest contamination level. So with the application of the pesticides the pest get to inactive phase or killed therefore the yield will get increased. Therefore high portion of the harvest can be efficiently used for manufacturing process
Quality of food
Made tea quality is largely depend upon the quality of green leaves. Leaves may get damaged by the pest attack. So to obtain a good required tea leaf the adaptation of the proper cultural practices is a must. And with the application of the pesticides planters could obtain a good leaf without damage. Final result is the quality Ceylon tea
But when using the pesticides the amount that should be applied is given by the World health organization and other international relative bodies. So planters should apply pesticide according to the recommended amounts or else it will affect to the consumers as well. MRL level is the given internationally recognized indicator.
In Sri Lankan context low MRL level is maintaining by concerning food safety quality. In year 2000 in the international summit for food and beverage declared that the Sri Lankan tea is the purest tea.

Maximum Residue Level
MRL is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue (mg/kg), recommended by the CODEX Alimentarius Commission to be legally permitted in or on food commodities and animal feeds. Pesticide residues on crops are monitored through the use of Maximum Residue Limits (MRL), which are based on the analysis of the quantity of a given chemical remaining on food product samples. The MRL is usually determined by repeated (on the order of 10) of field trials, where the crop has been treated according to good agricultural practice (GAP) and an appropriate pre harvest interval has elapsed.
Codex Alimentarius Commission, a body that was established in 1963 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Commission's main aims are stated as being to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the international food trade. The Codex Alimentarius is recognized by the World Trade Organization as an international reference point for the resolution of disputes concerning food safety and consumer protection.
MRLs are based on GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) data and foods derived from commodities that comply with the respective MRLs are intended to be toxicologically acceptable
Over dependence on chemical pest control methods cause to leave excessive residues of pesticides in the harvested tea leaves
The pesticides recommended by the TRI are often revived in view of the current international food and safety issues on pesticide residues

TRI Recommended Pesticides (Mg/Kg) & MRLs Pesticide | Japanese MRL | EU MRL | 2,4-D | 0.01 | 0.1 | Azadirachtin | Exempted | 0.01 | Bitertanol | 0.1 | 0.1 | Carbofuran | 0.2 | 0.05 | Carbosulfan | 0.1 | 0.1 | Chlorfluazuron | 10 | Exempted | Copper salts | Exempted | 40 as Cu | Dazomet | 0.1 | 0.02 | Diazinon | 0.1 | 0.02 | Diuron | 1 | 0.1 | Fenthion | 0.01 | 0.05 | Glufosinate | am. 0.5 | 0.1 | Glyphosate | 1.0 | 2.0 | Pesticide | Japanese MRL | EU MRL | Hexaconazole | 0.05 | 0.05 | Imidachlorprid | 10 | 0.05 | MCPA | 0.01 | 0.1 | Metam Sodium | 0.1 | 0.02 | Oxyfluorfen | 0.01 | 0.05 | Paraquat | 0.3 | 0.05 | Phenamiphos | 0.05 | 0.05 | Propargite | 5.0 | 5.0 | Propiconazole | 0.1 | 0.1 | Sulfur | Exempted | Exempted | Tebuconazole | 30 | 0.05 | Tebufenozide | 25 | 0.1 |