Integrated Pest Management


When you have completed this module you will have the confidence to train and advise growers on IPM, its benefits and how it can be implemented in the field. Adaptations for specific crops in different countries and regions will be possible through use of the overall strategy this module provides and in consultation with local extension services and experts.

Module outcomes

After completing this module, you will be able to:

  1. What is IPM, its history and current approaches
  2. Benefits of IPM
  3. The components of IPM: Prevention, Observation and Intervention
  4. The different interventions that can be made: Cultural, Mechanical, Biological and Chemical
  5. Responsible Use of Pesticides, including Management of Pesticide Resistance
  6. Different approaches to IPM: role of GMOs, Area-Based Pest Management
  7. How to implement IPM: Cost and Record Keeping
  8. Training approaches
  9. Different examples of IPM in action (Case studies)

Click on the button below to start the module:

Introduction

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand what IPM consists of
  • Understand the benefits and principles of IPM are
  • Know the basic components that should implements in an IPM strategy

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 1:

Study Unit 1

Click the button below to download the Study Unit 1 Self Test. Note: This test can be used to determine how well you know the content. It is for your own purpose and will not be marked.

Study Unit 1 Self Test

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Describe the three components of IPM in detail
  • Describe the different options available to farmers

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 2:

Study Unit 2

Click the button below to download the Study Unit 2 Self Test. Note: This test can be used to determine how well you know the content. It is for your own purpose and will not be marked.

Study Unit 2 Self Test

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Understand the hazards and risks posed by pesticides
  • Know how to manage the risks

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 3:

Study Unit 3

Click the button below to download the Study Unit 3 Self Test. Note: This test can be used to determine how well you know the content. It is for your own purpose and will not be marked.

Study Unit 3 Self Test

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Describe what pesticide resistance is
  • Describe the negative effects of pesticide resistance,
  • Explain how pesticide resistance develops in pest populations
  • Explain The different mechanisms of resistance.
  • Describe how to manage pesticide resistance
  • Explain practices that encourage resistance development

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 4:

Study Unit 4

Click the button below to download the Study Unit 4 Self Test. Note: This test can be used to determine how well you know the content. It is for your own purpose and will not be marked.

Study Unit 4 Self Test

Study unit outcomes

After completing this study unit, you should be able to:

  • Describe practical aspects of IPM that ensure food safety
  • Explain how to make sure that IPM is not undermined by the use of illegal and counterfeit pesticides.
  • Understand examples of successful IPM strategies that have been used to illustrate different approaches that have been used.

Click on the button below to start the lesson for Study Unit 5:

Study Unit 5

Click the button below to download the Study Unit 5 Self Test. Note: This test can be used to determine how well you know the content. It is for your own purpose and will not be marked.

Study Unit 5 Self Test

Implementing IPM improves food safety, reduces environmental contamination and can increase income, thereby improving livelihoods. This video, from a project in Honduras, summarises some of these impacts and outcomes: https://croplife.org/ trainingthroughlocalpartnerships/honduras/.

These impacts and outcomes can be easily achieved by adopting and improving good agricultural practices, but strategies can also use novel technologies and approaches. Getting farmers to change behaviour and adopt IPM requires effective, participatory training, which needs to be sustained over time. It is also important to demonstrate the benefits of IPM through accurate record taking and impact assessment.

There are many different activities that can be included in an IPM strategy. All strategies involve prevention, monitoring and intervention. If intervention occurs, it is applied responsibly in a way that minimises risks. The strategy can be developed by properly analysing:

  • The problem,
  • The causes of the problem, and
  • How to address the problem.

Properly measuring impact checks that the proposed solutions are producing the required impacts and reduces or avoids unwanted impacts, and demonstrates which adjustments may need to be made. Impacts and adjustments may occur within a season or over several seasons. IPM is a dynamic rather than a static approach. Remember that IPM is not carried out in isolation, but as part of managing the whole farm. This is illustrated by the ‘coffee game’.

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Additional information