The tragedy of bird scaring

摘要: Abstract This paper examines crop raids by birds in semi-arid Kenya, highlighting the importance of bird scaring as a barrier to greater adoption drought-resilient, High Value Traditional Crops (HVTCs) region. Using survey data from Tharaka-Nithi County, we find 100% millet and sorghum farmers study area scare their plot, devoting 43–66% all labour time this activity when these crops are grown monocrop plots 24–47% where combination with other crops. allocation is stark contrast who dedicate almost no scaring. Individually achieve ‘momentary Pareto optimal’, perpetuating ‘ripple effect’ whereby negative cost continuously shifted one farmer next. We systematically examine cost-shifting behaviour an externality, theoretically applying environmental resource economics (ERE) policy prescriptions for externality internalisation. ERE, however, its focus on self-interest, rational actors technological interventions, falls short present effective solutions so-called externality. Farmers region can address through collective, coordinated action. At scale, pests deliberately distributed across receptors, leading long-term, community-wide social wellbeing improvements.