Integrated Pest Management in Rice: Integrating Economics, Extension and Policy

Abstract

Since 1980, a project on integrated pest management in rice has been operating in seven countries of the South/South East ASian Region through the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Austral1a has been an instigator and act1 va finanOial '\nd technical supporter of the project. An important part of the program has been the management of brown plant hopper (SPH). This insect has become a major pest of rice only since the introduction of intensified rice cropping systems and the reduction in BPR predator populations through the overuse of broad spectrum pesticides. Initially the project was directed towards conf1rm1ng the underlying technical base of IPM. However in recent times, the focus has nhifted towards extension, to give the farmer practical tools which will enable him to more effectively manage pest problems in the rice crop. This sh1ft has highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of soc10 economic factors affecting farmer adoption of the technology, and the policies necessary'to susta1n an IPM approach. Recent policy changes in a number of parti~tpating countries including reducing insecticide imports and subsidies h1ghlight the importance of policy measures. IPM needs to be profitable at farmer level for the short and long term f;;.ational econom1c benefits which flow from IPM to be realised. Paper