Integrated Pest Management: Concept, Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has a prominent place on the policy agenda. Due to continuing concerns regarding unsustainable trends in pest management, promoting the adoption of IPM has been a priority in developed and developing countries. The history of IPM, however, can be traced back to the late 1800s when ecology was identified as the foundation for scientific plant protection. The priorities in IPM shifted from calendar-based use of insecticides to need base, and thereafter, reduce use of insecticides with safety concerns to environment and human health. The development, validation, and dissemination of site-specific IPM and adoption by farmers are key elements for the success of IPM programs. The IPM means do right thing based on a value-based decision system and use of multiple tactics. Because, information delivery is a key part of IPM, the spread of the internet rapidly has enhanced knowledge transfer and access to options. The knowledge acquisition tools are essential for the successful implementation of IPM. Knowledge and information transfer are key to correct pest management. IPM emphasizes correct decisions based on available information on pest management. Internet-based interactive decision support can play a significant role in developing countries. With new innovations coming fast and increasing awareness of the internet, more farmers are using IPM informatics and decision support systems. Environmental risk in IPM is an important issue. Pesticides will continue to dominate IPM in developing and under-developed countries as the target is to produce more for food security. Environmental quality in pest management will continue the focus on alternatives to pesticides and environmentally-safe tactics. Recent developments have the potential to contribute to greater significance of IPM for sustainable development in agriculture. New technological innovations and new modes of delivery have given a new direction to IPM. Biotechnology, including genetic engineering, offers new tools for reducing dependency on chemical pesticides. New products for biological control are becoming more widely applied, and the agrochemical industry is developing more specific and target products. Participatory approaches for farmer training and awareness rising are increasingly employed to ensure sustainability of pest management practices. Requirements of the food industry regarding pesticide residues have become a major force that encourage adoption of IPM practices, and the rising public demand for food safety and quality is creating niche and market nobreak opportunities for certified products, such as organic foods. Pest and pesticide management problems affect most countries and many externalities are global in scope. IPM is gaining recognition as a global policy issue and there is increased involvement of the relevant stakeholders in the IPM policy debate at both the national and international levels. To develop IPM programs for the 21st century, directional research and extension seems to be needed, as well as the development of new nobreak technology.