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biology and specific pest management techniques and options used in IPM (Olsen
1997 ; Cartwright et al. 1989 ; Collins et al. 1992 ). The following are details of the
advantages and disadvantages of an IPM approach practiced in any farming
system.
5.4.1 Advantages
- Reduces the possibility of litho-, hydro- and atmospheric contamination with
toxic chemical compounds - Promotes sound structures and healthy plants
- Guarantees protection and conservation of non-target species through reduced
impact of IPM activities - Encourages sustainable bio-based pest management alternatives
- Reduces environmental risk associated with pest management by encouraging
the adoption of more ecologically-sound control tactics - Diminishes the need for and reliability on pesticides by using several pest man-
agement options and methods - Reduces or abolishes issues of pesticide toxic and lethal residues (MRLs) in
consumable plant parts, drinking water and other consumable commodities, and
ensures food security and residue-free acceptable and marketable produce in
national and international markets - Reduces or eliminates re-entry interval restrictions
- Reduces the chance of exposure to pesticides by workers, tenants, the public and
other stakeholders through direct contact, inhalation, oral, food-chain, etc. - Assuages and moderates public concern about pest and pesticide-related
practices - Guarantees the maintenance or escalation of cost-effectiveness/cost-benefit-ratio
in pest management programs - In the case of export commodities, removes the issue of MRLs as a barrier of
export and consignment are accepted in international markets at high values that
would be a source of foreign exchange earnings - Reduces the chance of developing resistance, resurgence and replacement of pest
insects (Dhaliwal et al. 2006 ; Pedigo and Rice 2009 ).
5.4.2 Disadvantages
- A successful and sustainable implementation of any IPM program in any farm-
ing system requires comprehensive planning which is mostly beyond the capac-
ity of illiterate or less-literate farming communities - IPM requires more resources as alternatives to pesticides
- Cost-effective implementation of IPM on a sustainable basis requires a more
comprehensive knowledge of the pest, pest management techniques, agroecosys-
A. Nawaz et al.