IPM in developing countries: the danger of an ideal

This paper examines the evolution of integrated pest management (IPM) into the dominant paradigm in crop protection. The driving forces behind the development and adoption of IPM are explored and the conditions under which successful IPM has been practised are outlined. Repeated calls for the adoption of IPM in international agricultural research, extension and resource-poor farming are questioned in respect of claims made by IPM proponents. When examined, it becomes apparent that IPM per se is not a panacea for solving the problems faced by resource-poor farmers. Further investigation into the social, political, economic and ecological parameters associated with the development and implementation of IPM shows that is can work under certain conditions. However, the situation of most resource-poor farmers does not match the necessary criteria for the implemetation of IPM programmes. Viewed thus, it could be argued that IPM is more a vehicle for the continued transfer of technologies developed in response to the pressures exerted by argibusiness rather than a truly farmer first approach to solving the contraints facing the lives of resource-poor farmers in developing countries