and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

150 PFSTICII)E MANAG'MENTI" AND IIM IN SOIJ'I1 IEAST ASIA
costs (Lim 1972). This is necessitated essentially by resistance devzlopmcnt,
although pesticide aduteration is also believed to have played a role.
The high production cost has been accentuated in recent years by the
spiralling cost of insecticides brought about by fewer new compounds being
introduced into the market. Furthermore, in somC Countries the supply problem
is coml)ounded by foreign exchange restrictions (Magalloa 1986). Due to the
high cost, as well as the unrelilability oU DBNI control, some farmers have begun
to abandon cabbage planting (Sivapragasam ct al. 1984). Thus, unless other
means are found to effectively and economically manage the DBM problem,
cabbage cultivation will gradually diminish in many Southeast Asian countries.
NEEI) AND PROSPECTS FOR IPM
Although heavy application of insecticides seems to be presently justifiable
because vegetable production is still profitable, many of the associated problems
have become increasingly aggravated. DBN control is largely dependent on
quick response to emergency situations as well as on calendar spraying. Farmers
are resigned to using chemicals and determined to look for newer insecticides to
replace less eflective ones, oflen resoiting to high concentrations of "cocktails".
The problems encottntered in DI1NI control today seem to be approaching a
"crisis phase" (Smnit h 1969), resembling that of the situation with cotton
production in the Canete Valley in Peru (Barducci 1969).
It appears essential that, as a state of crisis in the control of DBM is
approached, there is action to abandon the dogma of continually searching for
more potent chemicals and total dependence on then. Although insecticides will
continue to remain a powerful and essential tool, it is important Ihat Gicir use is
minimized. Moreover, Lnder ex isting cotlitions there seems little choice excet
to pursue an itCegratcd pest imanagement (IPNMl) strategy, which incorporates
econonic, Social, and ecological considerations. Such in approach not only
wonld reduce Ihe Many associated problems but also ensure a more productive
and stable crop output in in environnient that is both cleaner and less hazardous.
Should the IPNl approach be not practiced and the current trend of unilateral use
of chemicals allowed to persist, then a "disaster phase" may be inevitable.
That the IM approach can provide benefits is well demionstrated by
numerous successfual programs in doeveloped countries. For example in die U.S.,
research and extension etl'Ibrls inldeveloping and implementing IPM on major
crops have paid extreinel y good dividends in teris of crop and environmental
protection (Adkisson 1986). Overall insecticidal use on cotton, grain sorghum,
and peanuts has decreased by 77%, 56%, and 83%, respectively. The amount of
active ingredient applied has also declined; that on cotton decreased by 4.42 lb/ac,
for sorg huna by 0.09 lb/ac and pean[Iuts by 3.23 lb/ac. The area being treated
with pesticides has also dleclined dramatically between 1971 and 1982. IPM is
Iherefore considered a dCveloped technology, and is used on a large scale by many
farmers because it optimizes profits by protecting yields and lowering costs of
production. Successes in the Ceveloped countries should convince us that
1PM
the
approach cannot be ignored as a future strategy to control the DBM.