Integrated Pest Management-an Eco-friendly Approach

Pests are one of the major constraints in production of different crops in all the agro-climatic zones. Reliance on chemical pesticides is in no way a complete solution for the pest vagaries. Injudicious use of these pesticides is not only pose a threat to the environment but also proving as a health hazard. Therefore, the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which is an eco-friendly approach to keep the pests population below Economic Threshold Level by employing all available alternate pest control strategies and techniques such as cultural, mechanical and biological with emphasis on the use of bio-pesticides and pesticides of plant origin like neem formulations need to be intensified. The concept of IPM does not preclude use of chemical pesticides, rather impresses upon need based judicious use of such pesticides. In order to minimize the use of  hazardous chemical pesticides & to prevent/ manage the insect pests / diseases attack as well as to increase the crop productivity, IPM activities have been included under the scheme “Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management Approach in India” since 1991-92. Under the ambit of IPM programme, the Govt. of India has established 31 Central IPM Centres in 28 States and one UT. These centres are taking up the following activities:

-          Popularization of IPM among farming community.

-          Conducting pest surveillance & monitoring to assess pest/ disease situation.

-          Mass production of biological control agents for releasing in the Farmers fields.

-          Conservation of natural bio-control agents

-          Promotion of bio-pesticides as an alternative to chemical pesticides.

-     Human Resource Development in IPM by imparting field oriented training to extension workers and farmers through Farmers Field Schools (FFS).

-       Conducting short duration courses (2days/ 5 days), for progressive farmers/ pesticides dealers/ NGOs/ Students.

-   Conducting Season Long Training (SLT) programmes on major agricultural/ horticultural crops for extension workers of the state Govt. /SAUs.

Farmers are being sensitized that the chemical pesticides are not the panacea therefore other inherent capabilities of the nature has to be exploited so that the natural balance can be maintained for sustainable agriculture. In this direction, the efforts have already been initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture at the central level to “Grow Safe Food”. The other agriculture related agencies like State Agricultural Universities, State Agricultural Departments, Indian Council of Agricultural Research Institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, NGOs etc. of the country has to be roped into for this noble approach.