FFS guide

To run an IPM Farmer Field School (FFS), experienced facilitators are needed, who have sufficient background knowledge of IPM, a good understanding of the crop, and who above all have the skills and the right attitude to make it a practical and participatory learning experience for the farmers. Many extension workers have received their own … Read more

Activity flow in an IPM FFS programs has three major steps: Training of Trainers (TOT) Farmer Field Schools (FFS) Community action

Let’s first have a look at the definitions of “Integrated Pest Management” and “Pest”. A definition of IPM Integrated Pest Management* means the careful consideration of all available pest control techniques and subsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically … Read more

What is the difference between “pest control” and “pest management”? Many years ago, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) started as Integrated Pest Control (IPC). The word “control” refers to killing the pest (usually with a synthetic pesticide). It does not consider prevention of the pest problem. Pest “control” is just meant to solve a problem after … Read more

Grow a healthy crop Healthy plants are stronger and thus better equipped to withstand attacks by pests and diseases. Many factors have an effect on the health of the crop: Good variety Healthy seeds and healthy seedlings Land preparation Correct spacing Soil improvement Fertilizer management Water management Crop rotation Understand and conserve defenders The term … Read more

When we talk about IPM we should understand some basic concepts and assumptions: IPM is a process of decision making and farming which is gradually improved with greater ecological knowledge, and observation skills. It is not a “packaged technology” that is “adopted” by farmers. IPM skills and concepts are best learned, practiced, and discussed in … Read more

We often hear the question “what are the advantages of IPM?”. Think of this: More regular crop quality and quantity Healthier plants Reduced use of pesticides Reduced risk of farmers from contamination with chemicals Reduced contamination of the environment Reduced contamination of the crop with chemical residues Better use of natural resources Reduced input costs … Read more

IPM is not a static concept but has been evolving over the past years and it is still changing as new experiences are used to fine-tune the concept. The Economic Threshold Level (ETL) used to be part of IPM many years ago, but in modern IPM it has been replaced by Agro-Ecological System Analysis (AESA) … Read more