Potato farmers and consumers in developing countries are too often faced with a serious dilemma: either sacrifice up to 50 percent of their crop to pests or use highly toxic pesticides whose application can cause substantial adverse impacts on human health. If CIP researchers succeed in improving such dismal odds on growing one of the world’s most important food crops, they will be making a major contribution to improving food security, eradicating starvation, and alleviating poverty in resource-poor countries throughout the world.

It is common for root and tuber crops to be grown in production systems where yields are low due to a complex of biotic factors such as weeds, nematodes, pests, and diseases. To counteract these pestilences, the use of highly toxic chemical pesticides applied with little or no protective equipment is increasing rapidly and is often becoming routine. These practices occur particularly where farmers are intensifying production methods and where the crops are expanding into agro-ecological regions and planting seasons outside their traditional range. All of those involved with potato cultivation agree that there is a clear need to seek safer alternatives for farmers and their environment through the development of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that will also enhance production objectives.

GOALS. The overall goal of the IPM project is to increase farmer income and foster economic growth and food security by reducing pest losses while protecting the health of producers, consumers, and the environment.

To achieve its goal, this project adopts a systematic and comprehensive approach to crop protection. More specifically, this implies maintaining pest populations at acceptable levels using combinations of control techniques and practices, and with due consideration of the socio-economic and environmental consequences.

The approach taken is based on a concept of participatory pest management that relies on quick responses to manipulate pest populations before they can cause any significant economic losses.

Specifically, this project aims to:

• develop practical IPM approaches to manage potato and sweetpotato production constraints
• train a cadre of IPM scientists in national agricultural research systems
• promote IPM as a sustainable system through which to alleviate poverty while protecting the environment

A significant part of the project’s strategy focuses on a research and development cycle that involves four phases: assessment of needs and opportunities; development and integration of IPM components; use of participatory approaches in development of dissemination methods and mechanisms for implementation in farmers’ fields; facilitation of institutionalization of large-scale IPM/ICM (integrated crop management) implementation programs.

OUTPUT. Included among the new and improved tools that CIP researchers anticipate providing to assist in reducing the impact of major pests on root and tuber crops in resource-poor countries are:

• generation of information on stress factors of root and tuber crops
• development of practical IPM/ICM components
• establishment and promotion of protocols for IPM/ICM dissemination mechanisms
• facilitation of large-scale IPM/ICM implementation programs, aimed at establishing pilot units in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
• development of expert teams of IPM scientists in national programs
• dissemination of research-based IPM information materials

The dissemination of IPM information is a key element in CIP’s effort to reduce the impact of major pests on crops in resource- poor countries. CIP IPM materials include CD-ROMS, manuals, an interactive website, and videos. These materials support participatory training approaches within pilot units, such as farmer field schools.

IMPACT. CIP researchers anticipate wide-spread impact through the adoption of IPM technology on a global basis. Implementation of new participatory concepts and tools for crop protection will provide substantial benefits to poor farmers and consumers.

The project will facilitate this process through the development, testing, and promotion of improved techniques in pest management. Emphasis will be on approaches that are specific to the target pests and have no harmful effects on other organisms, human health, or the environment. Specific impacts of the IPM project will include:

• increased yield and quality of root and tuber crops
• reduced field and storage losses
• reduced pesticide use
• reduced health risks as a result of less exposure to toxic pesticides
• improved environmental quality and food safety
• improved farmer livelihood (higher income) and empowerment