Integrated pest management
Also called: IPM · Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Integrated pest management (IPM) combines several ways of controlling pests:
- biological methods, such as natural predators
- cultural methods, such as crop rotation and changing sowing dates
- mechanical methods, such as traps and hand-picking
- chemical pesticides, used only when truly needed
The aim is to keep pests below harmful levels while using as little pesticide as possible. IPM has been India's national policy since 1985.
Example
A cotton farmer puts up pheromone traps and protects the insects and birds that eat pests. They spray pesticide only when trap counts show the pest has crossed a danger level, instead of spraying on a fixed calendar.
Don't confuse with
- Biopest control: relies only on natural methods such as neem and predators. IPM allows chemicals as a last resort.
Related concepts
- Traditional knowledge
- Vermicomposting
- Biopest control
- Organic farming
- Organic food
- Natural farming
- Zero budget natural farming
- Conservation agriculture
- Zero tillage
- Direct seeded rice