Eco-Efficiency in Arizona Cotton: Successful, Safer IPM

Abstract

This publication highlights Arizona cotton’s remarkable progress in integrating eco-efficiency into pest management. By quantifying productivity relative to environmental impact, eco-efficiency serves as a powerful tool to track and communicate improvements in both economic returns and ecological stewardship. Over the past 30 years, Arizona cotton growers have achieved up to 1,000-fold increases in eco-efficiency by adopting selective insecticides, biotechnology, and targeted IPM strategies. This resource introduces the concept, its calculation, and its relevance to stakeholders, offering a clear framework for understanding and promoting sustainable cotton production. Arizona cotton’s story—one of transformation through stewardship, selectivity, and sustainability—reminds us that we are all storytellers, and by sharing this journey of eco-efficiency and progress, we help preserve its legacy and inspire a more sustainable future.