Traditional Practices in Agriculture FULL - ANGOC Site

4. PEST MANAGEMENT
The outbreak of pests or so-called harmful insects and diseases is
now a very serious problem in agricultural practice. Though farmers
have been using chemical pesticides to control them, the problems
have not been solved, or rather the situation has been getting
worse in a vicious cycle.
Agricultural research has been emphasizing how to control the pest
problem when it appears, not understanding the root causes of the
problem, No problem can be solved without considering the root
causes. It is man’s lack of understanding of the fact that in a
healthy environment, plants grow well, and pests do not attack
plants easily. Even if pests do attack, damage is minimal.
We need to break out of the vicious cycle of pest problems and
discover a permanent solution.
4.1 Nature of Pest Problems
Man thinks that pests (insects and diseases which attack crops) are
absolutely harmful. From the perspective of man’s benefit, it seems
to be right. However, from an ecological point of view, it is
completely wrong. Everything in an ecosystem interacts and all
elements are necessary to keep ecological balance in the nature.