DEFINITION

&

CONCEPTS

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an eco-friendly approach which aims

at keeping pest population at below economic threshold levels by employing
all available alternate pest control methods and techniques such as cultural,
mechanical and biological with emphasis on use of bio-pesticides and
pesticides of plant-origin like Neem formulations. The use of chemical
pesticides is advised as a measure of last resort when pest population in the
crop crosses economic threshold levels (ETL).Suppression of pest population
below economic threshold level through the adoption of feasible and
affordable Good Agricultural Practices aiming least disturbance to the eco
system
and
environment.
NATIONAL

POLICY

ON

IPM

The indiscriminate and unilateral use of pesticides was the only plant
protection tool during sixties and seventies for sustaining of agricultural
production potential of the high yielding varieties under the intensive
cropping systems. This has led to several ill-effects like human and animal
health hazards, ecological imbalance, development of resistance in the pests
to pesticides, pests resurgence and environmental pollution as well as
destruction of natural enemies (bio-control agents) of pests and increased
level of pesticides residues in soil, water, food with the increased use of
pesticides.
National Policy statement on IPM was made in India in 1985. Later on
National policy on Agriculture - 2000 and National policy on Farmers - 2007
have also supported the IPM. It was also supported by the Planning
Commission document for 12th Plan addressing the negative impact of
chemical pesticides. In order to minimize the use of hazardous chemical
pesticides and to manage the insect pest/disease attack as well as to
increase the crop productivity, Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture,
Department of Agriculture & Co-operation (DAC) has launched a scheme
Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management (IPM) Approach in
India in 1991-92, as cardinal principle and main plank of Plant protection
strategy in overall crop production programme. Under the ambit of IPM
programme, the Govt. of India has established 31 Central IPM centers in 28
States and One UT. In 12th Five year plan EFC Memo, a National mission on
Agricultural Extension and Technology (NMAET) was formed under which a
sub-mission on Plant Protection and Plant Quarantine was introduced from
the year 2014-15. Strengthening and Modernization of Pest Management
Approach in India has become one of the components of this sub-mission
with mandate to popularize adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

through training and demonstration in crops inter-alia promotion of biological

control
approaches
in
crop
protection
technology.
Mandate

of

Central

Integrated

Pest

Management

Centres:-

The mandate of these Centres is pest/disease monitoring, production and

release of bio-control agents/ bio-pesticides, conservation of bio-control
agents and Human Resource Development in IPM by imparting training to
Agriculture / Horticulture Extension Officers and farmers at Grass Root Level
by organizing Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) in farmers fields. Basic aim of
FFS is to train the farmers on the latest IPM technology so that they are able
to take decisions in pest management operation. In FFSs the farmers are
also trained about the judicious use of pesticides on their crops so that the
crop can be grown with minimum use of pesticides.
Objectives:

Maximize crop production with minimum input costs.

Minimize environmental pollution in soil, water and air due to

pesticides.

Minimize occupational health hazards due to chemical pesticides.

Conserve ecosystem and maintain ecological equilibrium.

Judicious use of chemical pesticides for reducing pesticide residues.

Activities:The 31 Central Integrated Pest Management Centers (CIPMCs) located in 28

States and one Union Territory undertakes the programme with following
activities:

Surveillance & Monitoring of insect-pest & diseases.

Augmentation and Conservation of Natural enemies.

Production and release of bio-control agents.

Human Resource Development (HRD) through Farmers Field Schools

(FFSs) Season long training programmes, orientation training
programme and refresher courses.

Survey and Surveillance

To keep a close watch over a desired period of time in an identified

cropped area on build up of pests (insects, vertebrates, diseases,
nematodes & weeds etc.) and their natural enemy population so that a
prior care can be adopted to control the target pests.

The basic objective of pest surveillance is to detect the early sign of

existing and emerging pest and their natural enemies for issuance of
timely advisories to the State Govt. and farmers for the adoption of
suitable intervention.

Survey, monitoring, field scouting are the major activities of the pest
surveillance. Fixed plot and rapid roving survey methodology are
adopted for pest surveillance.

e-pest surveillance is required to reduce the lead time from pest

detection to adoption of interventions.

Rapid Roving Pest Surveys are conducted by the teams of CIPMCs on a

predetermined survey routes.

Biological

practices:

Biological control of insect pests and diseases through biological means is

most important component of IPM. In broader sense, biocontrol is use of
living organisms to control unwanted living organisms (pests). In other
words, deliberate use of parasitoids, predators and pathogens to maintain
pest population at level blow those causing economic loss either by
introducing a new bioagent in the environment of pest or by increasing
effectiveness
of
those
already
preset
in
the
field.
Parasitoids: These are the organisms which lay eggs in or on the bodies of
their hosts and complete their life cycles on host bodies as a result of which
hosts die. A parasitoid may be of different type depending on the host
developmental stage in or on which it completes its life cycle. For example,
egg, larval, pupal, adult, egg-larval and larval pupal parasitoids. Example are
different species of Trichogramma, Apanteles, Bracon, Chelonus,
Brachemeria,
Pseudogonotopus
etc.
Predators: These are free living organisms which prey upon other
organisms for their food. Examples are different species of spiders, dragon
flies, damsel flies, lady bird beetles, Chrysopa species, birds etc.

Pathogens: These are micro-organisims which infest and cause diseases in

their hosts as a result of which hosts are killed. Major groups of pathogens
are fungi, virus and bacteria. Some nematodes also cause diseases in some
insect pests. Important examples of fungi are different species of Hirsutella,
Beauveria, Nomurae and Metarhizium which have been reported to infect
and kill large number of insects (upto 90%) in the fields. Among viruses,
most important examples are of Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus (NPV) and
Granulosis viruses. Outbreak of viruses in armyworms, cut worms, leaf
folders, hairy caterpillars and plant hoppers have been reported many times.
Among bacteria, Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) and B. popillae are very
common
examples.
Diseases of pests can be mass multiplied in the laboratory at a low cost in
liquid or powdered formulations that can be sprayed like ordinary chemical
pesticides. These formulations are known as biopesticides. The different
types of biocontrol practices are grouped as under:a.

Introduction

In this process, a new species of bioagent is introduced in a locality for its

establishment against its host. This is done only after thorough laboratory
examination and field trials for its efficacy.
b.

Augmentation

In this process, the population of natural enemies already present in the

area is increased by releasing either laboratory reared or field collected
bioagents of same species in such number as would require to suppress the
pest
population
in
that
area.
c.

Conservation

This is most important component of biological control and plays a major

role in pest suppression. In this process, natural enemies present in the
nature are protected from being killed.
Human

Resource

Development

Programmes

in

IPM

There are 3 types of Human Resources Development Programmes being

Implemented in component promotion of integrated pest management under
the scheme Strengthening and Modernization Pest Management Approach in
India (SMPMA). The details of these programmes are as under

i.

FARMERS

FIELD

SCHOOL

PROGRAMME:

It is one of the major activities of the scheme SMPMA through which the
concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is being popularize among the
farming community by organizing the IPM Farmers Field Schools (FFS) on
major crops (Rabi & Kharif). The basic objective of organizing FFS is to make
the farmers self decision maker about their own field on crop cultivation and
IPM activities. It is a season long activity which is confined in 14 weekly
sittings in form of FFS in a village where the programme is to be conducted.
The villages /area with more use of pesticides and having a pest history is
generally selected for organizing FFS.
ii.

SEASON

LONG

TRAINING

PROGRAMME

On-farm practical training in specific crop in relation to IPM practices through

Season Long Training Programmes are organized for the extension workers.
The facilitators trained in this Training of Facilitators programme will further
conduct FFS in their respective areas for that specific crop.
iii.

SHORT

DURATION

TRAINING

PROGRAMMES

ON

IPM

In order to promote Integrated Pest Management Approach on war footing

level among the farming Community, Non-Governmental Organizations
(NGOs), Pesticide dealers, Graduate and Post Graduate Students, two and
five days short duration training programmes on IPM are being conducted by
CIPMCs to enable them to practice these eco-friendly Plant Protection
approaches in their fields and also to popularize and spread the IPM
measures among the society. Two days IPM programmes are meant for
farmers whereas the five days programmes are for the State Agriculture
Extension Officers, NGOs and Pesticide Dealers.
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