Integrated pest management (IPM)—specific needs of developing countries

TLDR: Cultural and bioligical control and plant resistance adapted to subsistence farming holds the greatest promise and better understanding of cropping systems must be the keystone to development of IPM programs.

Abstract: The concept and practice of IPM has emerged over the past two decades or more. The primary impetus for its development has come from developed countries. IPM technology transfer to developing countries has followed the earlier pattern of the ‘green revolution’. The technology being proposed requires high energy inputs and an intensive infrastructure to support it. These conditions simply do not exist in most developing countries. IPM programs for developing countries must be based on their own socioeconomic situation rather than on simple technology transfer. Better understanding of cropping systems must be the keystone to development of IPM programs. Chemical control should play a secondary role. Cultural and bioligical control and plant resistance adapted to subsistence farming holds the greatest promise. Little attention has been given to the reciprocal feature of studies of traditional agriculture. These practices embrace a wealth of time-honoured ecological wisdom which if unravelled could provide useful leads for modern agriculture. The sequence of steps contributing to this process are proposed.