IPM has been identified as a key element of sustainable agricultural development in the Policy and Strategy for Agriculture developed by Government of Pakistan as part of its response to increasing misuse/overuse of pesticides and their negative impacts on the society. The National Integrated Pest Management Programme was set up by Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) in the 2000 and is based at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Islamabad .

 

The philosophy of Integrated Pest Management Programme (IPM) is to integrate all available options for controlling pest population for sustainable productivity with no adverse effect on human beings, animals and environment. IPM aims at increasing the complexity and diversity of the insects and animals within an agro-ecosystem to encourage its sustainability.

 

It has been estimated that around 25 per cent of crop outputs are lost due to attack of pests and diseases. Although the application of pesticides has increased over the years, its indiscriminate use should be avoided as it kills useful insects and predators, and causes environmental degradation. In order to reduce pesticide application and promote biological control of insects and pests, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programme has been undertaken.

 

Core  points  of  the  Programme  include    enhancing    cooperation     and coordination, reducing human health hazards, environment impact, creating enabling policy environment, improving extension service, crop management on ecological principles, farmers’ own decisions, increasing farmers’ net income, systematic approach and identifying & empowering farm leaders.